Epidemiological study (observational study)

A case-control study on the association between environmental factors and the occurrence of acute leukemia among children in Klang Valley, Malaysia epidem.

By: Rahman HIA, Shah SA, Alias H, Ibrahim HM

Published in: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2008; 9 (4): 649-652

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Malaysia to examine the association between environmental and sociodemographic factors and the occurrence of acute leukemia among children. The distance of the residence to a power line was one of investigated environmental factors.

Further details

Further environmental factors (e.g., distance to a petrol station or to a main road) as well as sociodemographic factors (e.g., education of the parents, family income, number of siblings, age of parents, paternal smoking, attendance of daycare) were investigated in this study.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia: acute leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- also other exposures without EMF
- power transmission line
- residential

Assessment

calculation: distance of residence to power line using global positioning system (GPS)

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	distance of residence to power line: ≥ 200 m
Group 2	distance of residence to power line: < 200 m

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Observation period: January 2001 - May 2007
Study location: Malaysia (Klang Valley)

Case group

Characteristics: acute leukemia, histologically confirmed
Data source: Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Malaysia

Control group

patients with an acute disease other than cancer treated in the two hospitals
Selection:
- hospital-based
Matching:
- sex
- age
- case:control = 1:1

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Participants	128	128

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression
Chi-square test
t-test

Results (acc. to author)

A significantly increased risk for the occurrence of childhood acute leukemia was found for children who have lived in a distance of less than 200 m to a power line.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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