A pregnant woman's exposure to chemicals and possibly to alcohol may make the baby prone to leukaemia, reports a new study. Mel Graves and his team from the Institute of Cancer Research, USA, recently isolated DNA from the cells of leukaemia -infected children aged five months to two years. In each case the mutations caused the disease had existed at birth. As none of the parents had these mutations, the team believe that these occurred during gestation. They say that most cases of leukaemia in children below two years and others who develop it later in life, originate in the womb (Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences , USA, Vol 94, No 26).
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.