Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

A Pooled Analysis of Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and Childhood Brain Tumors epidem.

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 2010; 172 (7): 752-761

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association between extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood brain tumors was investigated in a pooled analysis of 10 studies. The following studies were included: Savitz et al. (1988), Feychting et al. (1993), Olsen et al. (1993), Verkasalo et al. (1993), Preston-Martin et al. (1996), Tynes et al. (1997), UK Childhood Cancer Study Investigators (1999), Schüz et al. (2001), Saito et al. (2010), and Kroll et al. (2010).

Further details

Different cutpoints and adjustment for further confounders such as type of dwelling (single-family house versus multiple unit), mobility (number of residences before diagnosis) and living in a urban or rural area were also considered in the analysis.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 2 magnetic field exposure: 0.1 - < 0.2 µT
Group 3 magnetic field exposure: 0.2 - < 0.4 µT
Group 4 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Study size

Type Value
Total 8,372
Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

97 out of 8372 children with brain tumor and 305 out of 11494 controls were exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields of 0.1 µT or more. No statistically significant increased risk for childhood brain tumor was observed among children who had been exposed to magnetic fields of 0.1 µT or more.
The authors conclude that the results of the study provide little evidence for an association between exposure by extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood brain tumors.

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