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AAP News Vol. 14 No. 3 March 1998, p. 3 © 1998 American Academy of Pediatrics
High birth weight is associated with certain pediatric cancers, according to a report from the Children's Cancer Group in California. Subjects were 3,711 pediatric cancer cases and 816 controls. Researchers asked parents to fill out questionnaires that included demographics, pregnancy and birth factors. Results showed high birth weight was associated with an increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Wilms' tumor, and neuroblastoma. High birth weight was associated with a decreased risk for soft tissue sarcomas. For children with acute myeloid leukemia whose disease was diagnosed before age 2 years, high birth weight was associated with an increased risk, while there was no increased risk for children with acute myeloid leukemia diagnosed at age 2 years or older.
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