Nutrition and childhood cancer – how the diets of mothers and children may affect cancer risk

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partner institutions have examined the effects that both antenatal and postnatal nutrition may have on a child’s risk of developing acute leukaemia, by examining the diets of mothers before the birth of their child and the diets of children during their first few years of life. These research studies were published in the journal Nutrients and in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and analysis of literature relating to the diets of mothers-to-be during pregnancy. They noted that regular consumption of fruits and supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy are two factors that may offer protection against the development of acute leukaemia in children.

In this systematic review, this group of researchers also noted a possible association of maternal consumption of coffee and/or caffeinated beverages with an increased risk of childhood acute leukaemia. The World Health Organization currently recommends that pregnant women with a high daily caffeine intake (more than 300 mg per day) should lower their daily caffeine intake during pregnancy. This is to reduce a known risk of pregnancy loss and low-birth-weight neonates. It is not related to any potential increased risk or association with cancer development, which is unclear and requires further research on the consumption of coffee and/or caffeinated beverages during the specific time frame of pregnancy.

In the more recent study, published in Nutrients, the same researchers, joined by two other IARC scientists, examined the evidence relating to children’s nourishment in early life (breastfeeding, early-life diet), neonatal administration of vitamin K, and the risk of acute leukaemia in children. This extended group of researchers found abundant evidence supporting a protective role of breastfeeding against the development of acute leukaemia. They did not find convincing evidence for a link between neonatal intramuscular administration of vitamin K and risk of childhood acute leukaemia. They highlighted the need for comprehensive studies exploring early-life dietary factors and the risk of childhood acute leukaemia.

Kintossou AK, Blanco-Lopez J, Iguacel I, Pisanu S, Almeida CCB, Steliarova-Foucher E, et al.
Early life nutrition factors and risk of acute leukemia in children: systematic review and meta-analysis
Nutrients, Published online 29 August 2023;
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173775

Blanco-Lopez J, Iguacel I, Pisanu S, Almeida CCB, Steliarova-Foucher E, Sierens C, et al.
Role of maternal diet in the risk of childhood acute leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Int J Environ Res Public Health, Published online 6 April 2023;
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075428