Abstract

Introduction: The role of breast-feeding in protection against childhood acute leukemia is uncertain. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that breast-feeding decreases the risk of 300 patients we investigated childhood acute leukemia. Materials and Methods: In a case control study, we inrestigated 300 patients, aged 2±13 years, with acute leukemia, as well as 300 controls, individually matched for age and sex. Information regarding breast-feeding was obtained through face to face interviews with mothers. Results: Findings showed that there was a significant relationship between duration of breast-feeding and childhood acute leukemia (P<0. 001). Breast-feeding of less than 1-months durations, when compared with feeding of longer durations 19-24 months was associated with increased risk of childhood acute leukemia (OR=3. 54). Conclusion: In this study, breast-feeding was associated with a reduced risk of childhood acute leukemia. Our findings suggest that future epidemiologic and experimental efforts should be directed at investigating the relationship between breast-feeding duration and all malignancies among children.