Follow-up of a suspected excess of brain tumours among Namibian children
Date
2005-10
Authors
Preston-Martin, S.
Wessels, G.
Hecht, S.
Hesseling, P. B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
To the Editor: The aim of this follow-up study was to further
investigate a suggested excess of childhood brain tumours
(CBT) among Herero children in Namibia from 1983 to 1988. Incidence rates of primary brain tumours among Herero
children were found to be 4 times higher than rates among
Namibian children in any of the 10 other tribal groups or
among children of European origin.
The causes of CBTs remain largely unknown. The only
established causes are ionizing radiation and predisposing
inherited syndromes. A particularly compelling hypothesis is
that exposure during gestation to N-nitroso compounds
(NOCs) may lead to the development of CBT. This hypothesis
was suggested by experimental work in which 100%
production of nervous system (NS) tumours in rat offspring
resulted from transplacental exposure to the neurocarcinogen
ethylnitrosourea (ENU) or to low levels of the precursor
compounds sodium nitrite and ethyl urea added to the food
and drinking water of pregnant rats
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Cancer in children -- Namibia, Brain -- Tumors -- Namibia, Herero children, Drinking water -- Analysis -- Namibia, Nitrates, Sodium nitrite, Cancer incidence -- Namibia
Citation
Preston-Martin, S., Wessels, G., Hecht, S. & Hesseling, P. B. 2005. Follow-up of a suspected excess of brain tumours among Namibian children. South African Medical Journal,95(10), 776-780.