Epidemiological Study (case-control study)

Childhood leukemia and electromagnetic fields: results of a population-based case-control study in Germany. epidemiol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
The association between residential extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and childhood leukemia was investigated in a population-based case-control study in Germany.
Background/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

• childhood leukemia

Exposure

• magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC), power transmission line, inhouse wiring
• type of exposure: residential
• assessment by questionnaire
• assessment by interview
• assessment by 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))
• assessment by calculation (median during night (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.))

Population

• case group
  children, aged from 0 to 14 years
  diagnosis: leukemia
  observation period: July 1988 - June 1993
  study location: Germany (Lower-Saxony)
  source of data: German Childhood Cancer Registry
  
  
• control group
  local control and state control; selection: population-based
  matching: date of birth, 1:2 (case:control)
  

Study size	cases	controls
number eligible	219	-
number available for analysis	129	328

Statistical analysis using conditional logistic regression (adjusted for sex, socioeconomic status, age at diagnosis, degree of urbanization)

Results/conclusion (according to author)
The median of the 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom was regarded as the most valid exposure variable.
A non-significantly elevated risk for the median of the 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom above 0.2 µT was observed, based on 4 cases and 3 controls. The results, although not statistically significant, may indicate a positive association between magnetic fields and childhood leukemia.

Limitations (according to author): Only 1.5 % of the study population were exposed to magnetic fields above 0.2 µT.

(Study character: epidemiological study, case-control study)

Study funded by

• Ministry of Health of Lower Saxony, Germany

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