Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are classified as a possible carcinogenic factor (Group 2B). This study assessed the association between ELF-MFs and childhood cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Three databases were searched in January 2020. We conducted a meta-an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2021-05, Vol.16 (5), p.e0251628
Main Authors: Seomun, GyeongAe, Lee, Juneyoung, Park, Jinkyung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Analysis
Brain cancer
Brain Neoplasms - etiology
Brain research
Cancer
Carcinogens
Care and treatment
Children
Cocarcinogens
Diagnosis
Exposure
Guidelines
Health aspects
Humans
Leukemia
Leukemia - etiology
Leukemia in children
Literature reviews
Low frequency
Magnetic fields
Magnetic Fields - adverse effects
Medicine and Health Sciences
Meta-analysis
Neoplasms - etiology
Pediatrics
Physical Sciences
Research and Analysis Methods
Reviews
Risk Factors
Systematic review
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Summary:Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are classified as a possible carcinogenic factor (Group 2B). This study assessed the association between ELF-MFs and childhood cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Three databases were searched in January 2020. We conducted a meta-analysis for the association between the ELF-MFs exposure level and childhood cancer. A total of 33 studies were identified. Thirty studies with 186,223 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Children exposed to 0.2-, 0.3-, and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.49), 1.22 (95% CI 0.93-1.61), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.25-2.35) times higher odds of childhood leukemia. In childhood brain tumors, children exposed to 0.2-μT had a 0.95 (95% CI 0.59-1.56) times higher odds, and those exposed to 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.25 (95% CI 0.93-1.61). Children exposed to 0.2- and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.10 (95% CI 0.70-1.75) and 2.01 (95% CI 0.89-4.52) times higher odds of any childhood cancers. Significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0251628