Hormonal treatment in pregnancy: a possible risk factor for neuroblastoma

Med Pediatr Oncol. 1994;23(2):133-5. doi: 10.1002/mpo.2950230212.

Abstract

In the last 4 years, 24 cases of neuroblastoma were treated in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, 8 of whom were under 1 year of age. Four of them were the product of a pregnancy-induced or preserved by gonadotropins, clomiphene citrate, or progestational hormones. These drugs are known to produce a higher than normal level of estradiol or progesterone in the early stages of pregnancy. Our observation led to the hypothesis that high levels of progestational hormones given during pregnancy are a risk factor for neuroblastoma in infancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone
  • Bromocriptine
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / adverse effects*
  • Clomiphene
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neuroblastoma / etiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First / drug effects
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Progestins / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Progestins
  • 20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone
  • Clomiphene
  • Bromocriptine