A case-control study of childhood brain tumors and father's exposures from hobbies

A comprehensive case-control study was conducted to explore parental risk factors for medulloblastoma (MB) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), histologically similar pediatric brain tumors. As part of the study, fathers were asked about participation in hobbies before and during pregnancy and after their child's birth. Cases were 318 subjects under 6 years of age at diagnosis in 1991-1997 and registered with the Children's Cancer Group. An equal number of controls were selected through random digit dialing. Univariate analyses of paternal activities showed associations for lawn care with pesticides [during pregnancy: odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2, 2.5; after birth: OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.7] and for stripping paint from furniture [during pregnancy: OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.9, 2.5; after birth: OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.1]. A modest association was seen for painting before and during pregnancy [OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.9] but not after birth. In multivariate analyses, a significant association was seen for lawn care with pesticides [during pregnancy: OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.5; after birth: OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.8]; modest associations were seen for stripping paint [during pregnancy: OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.8, 2.6; after birth: OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.7, 2.6] and for painting during pregnancy [OR= 1.2, 95% CI: 0.8, 1.9]. This study adds to the literature on paternal chemical exposures and risk of MB/PNET in children; until now research has been limited to occupational exposures.