Common infections that affect mothers and babies might trigger certain types of childhood cancer, according to a report in the December issue of the European Journal of Cancer.

A team led by Richard McNally (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) analysed more than 3,000 childhood cancer cases, in individuals of 0–14 years of age, that occurred over a 45-year period. They found unusual clusters of brain tumours and leukaemia that were typical of infection-related diseases (BBC News, 12 December 2005).

“We found that place of birth was particularly significant, which suggests that an infection in the mother while she is carrying her baby, or in a child's early years, could be a trigger factor in cancer ... these could be minor common illnesses, such as a cold, mild flu or respiratory infection”, said McNally (Reuters, 12 December 2005).

However, the researchers stressed that people could not 'catch cancer' from a cold, as only a small number of children that are already susceptible to the disease will be affected. “It is important to stress that it doesn't look as if it is any particular infection that is involved: rather it is the response of the body to a number of different infections”, said Tim Eden, Cancer Research UK Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Manchester (Manchester Evening News, 13 December 2005).

Analysis of patterns of childhood leukaemia and brain tumours suggested that 8% of cases were probably linked to the spread of infectious diseases. These findings support previous research that showed that young children who are socially active, such as those who attend nurseries, are less at risk than those who are more sheltered, because they develop stronger immune systems (Telegraph, 12 December 2005).