Study type:
Epidemiological study
(observational study)
Childhood leukemia and electromagnetic fields: results of a population-based case-control study in Germany
epidem.
By:
Michaelis J, Schüz J, Meinert R, Menger M, Grigat JP, Kaatsch P, Kaletsch U, Miesner A, Stamm A, Brinkmann K, Karner H
Published in: Cancer Causes Control 1997; 8 (2): 167-174
Aim of study (acc. to author)
Further details
Exposure to magnetic fields were estimated by two different methods of exposure assessment: measurement of the magnetic field over a period of 24 hours in the child's bedroom at the residence where the child had been living for the longest period before date of diagnosis, and spot measurements at all residences where the child had been living for more than one year. Exposure was categorized in high (0.2 µT and more) and low ( below 0.2 µT).
Endpoint/type of risk estimation
Type of risk estimation:
(odds ratio (OR))
Exposure
Assessment
- questionnaire
- interview
- measurement: 24h-measurement in child's bedroom and living room (every 15 seconds); indoor short measurements; spot measurements (to identify sources of elevated magnetic fields)
- calculation: median during night (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
Exposure groups
|
Group
|
Description
|
|
Reference group 1
|
median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 2
|
median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
|
Reference group 3
|
mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 4
|
mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
|
Reference group 5
|
median during night: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 6
|
median during night: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
|
Reference group 7
|
mean of medians of 24h-measurements in the child's bedroom and livingroom: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 8
|
mean of medians of 24h-measurements in the child's bedroom and livingroom: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
|
Reference group 9
|
spot measurement at residence where the child lived longest: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 10
|
spot measurement at residence where the child lived longest: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
|
Reference group 11
|
maximum of spot measurement at all residences where the child lived for > 1 year: < 0.2 µT
|
|
Group 12
|
maximum of spot measurement at all residences where the child lived for > 1 year: ≥ 0.2 µT
|
Population
-
Group:
-
Age:
0–14 years
-
Observation period:
July 1988 - June 1993
-
Study location:
Germany (Lower-Saxony)
Case group
Control group
- local control and state control
-
Selection:
-
Matching:
- date of birth
- case:control = 1:2
Study size
|
Cases |
Controls |
| Eligible |
219 |
- |
| Evaluable |
129 |
328 |
Statistical analysis method:
- conditional logistic regression
(
adjustment:
- sex
- socioeconomic status
- age at diagnosis, degree of urbanization
)
Results (acc. to author)
Limitations (acc. to author)
Study funded by
-
Ministry of Health of Lower Saxony, Germany
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