Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia

Authors: Duarte-Rodr�guez DA, Flores-Lujano J, McNally RJQ, P�rez-Saldivar ML, Jim�nez-Hern�ndez E, Mart�n-Trejo JA, Espinoza-Hern�ndez LE, Medina-Sanson A, Paredes-Aguilera R, Merino-Pasaye LE, Vel�zquez-Avi�a MM, Torres-Nava JR, Espinosa-Elizondo RM, Amador-S�nchez R, Dosta-Herrera JJ, Mondrag�n-Garc�a JA, Gonz�lez-Ulibarri JE, Mart�nez-Silva SI, Espinoza-Anrubio G, Paz-Bribiesca MM, Salcedo-Lozada P, Landa-Garc�a R�, Ram�rez-Colorado R, Hern�ndez-Mora L, Santamar�a-Ascencio M, L�pez-Loyola A, Godoy-Esquivel AH, Garc�a-L�pez LR, Anguiano-�valos AI, Mora-Rico K, Casta�eda-Echevarr�a A, Rodr�guez-Jim�nez R, Cibrian-Cruz JA, Sol�s-Labastida KA, C�rdenas-Cardos R, L�pez-Santiago N, Flores-Villegas LV, Pe�aloza-Gonz�lez JG, Gonz�lez-�vila AI, S�nchez-Ruiz M, Rivera-Luna R, Rodr�guez-Villalobos LR, Hern�ndez-P�rez F, Olvera-Dur�n J�, Garc�a-Cort�s LR, Mata-Rocha M, Sep�lveda-Robles OA, Bekker-M�ndez VC, Jim�nez-Morales S, Mel�ndez-Zajgla J, Rosas-Vargas H, Vega E, N��ez-Enr�quez JC, Mej�a-Arangur� JM

Year: 2024-02-14

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Frontiers in Oncology

Institution: Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1304633

URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1304633/full

Abstract

Background

A heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC).

Methods

A population-based case-control study was conducted. Children younger than 18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC, were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value, and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained.

Results

  • A total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed.
  • 408 cases (38.7%) were distributed across eight spatial clusters detected.
  • A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster.
  • Similar results were noted for the remaining seven clusters.
  • Additionally, a proximity between spatial clusters, electrical installations, and petrochemical facilities was observed.

Conclusions

The identification of spatial clusters in certain regions of GMC suggests the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL.

⚠️ Public Health Note:

This study documents a significant clustering of childhood leukemia cases near electrical installations, indicating a connection between electromagnetic fields and increased leukemia risk.

childhood leukemia acute lymphoblastic leukemia spatial clustering environmental exposure electromagnetic fields Greater Mexico City epidemiology
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