Insights into maternal diet for the prevention of childhood leukaemia

Catia Daniela Cantarella,Denise Ragusa,Sabrina Tosi

doi:10.7243/2052-434x-6-1

Abstract

Abstract Nutrition plays a crucial role in wellbeing and is being increasingly recognised as an environmental factor in the development of disease. During pregnancy, maternal diet influences foetal development, playing a role not only

Highlights

Childhood leukaemia is a rare form of cancer affecting approximately 1700 children a year in the UK [1], accounting for one third of all childhood malignancies [2]
This statement is based on scientific evidence derived from the study of neonatal blood spots from archival Guthrie cards, showing the presence of the genetic rearrangements typically associated with infant leukaemia at this early stage of life [3]
An appropriate vitamin supplementation prior to conception is recommended to prepare healthy gametes and to prevent chromosomal non-disjunction, which are responsible for the formation of aneuploidies in the foetus, to prevent genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome) and malformations [8]

Summary

Introduction

Childhood leukaemia is a rare form of cancer affecting approximately 1700 children a year in the UK [1], accounting for one third of all childhood malignancies [2]. It is broadly accepted that infant leukaemia has a prenatal origin This statement is based on scientific evidence derived from the study of neonatal blood spots from archival Guthrie cards, showing the presence of the genetic rearrangements typically associated with infant leukaemia at this early stage of life [3]. These rearrangements only appear in the blood cell precursors responsible for the disease and are not inherited from the parents. What is the cause of such genetic defects in the developing foetus? The culprit might be found among environmental factors that influence foetal life since conception, or even prior to conception

Main body

Conclusion