Maternal Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy and Risk of Childhood Leukemia
New research including 21 case-controlled studies shows that children born from mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy have an increased risk of AML (acute myeloid leukemia). Comparing mothers who drank any alcohol during pregnancy with those who didn't showed a 44 percent increased risk of developing leukemia (AML). For each additional drink per week that the mother consumed during pregnancy, the risk of AML increased by 24 percent. This is a significant finding in light of the fact that leukemia is the most common cancer in children.
Previous studies of alcohol consumption during pregnancy show an increased risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (facial abnormalities as well as mental and behavior problems in children). This new study reinforces the current recommendation that mothers should never drink during pregnancy.
Source: Latino-Martel P, et al. Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and risk of childhood leukemia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. 2010;19(5):1238-1260.
