Perinatal and Early-Life Exposures and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract

Simple Summary Perinatal and early-life factors have been hypothesized to influence non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk, but study results have been mixed and exposure data for childhood ages are limited. In this case–control study of 2280 NHL cases and 2253 controls, we assessed perinatal and early-life factors in association with risk of developing NHL later in life. Greater weight at birth, in childhood, and in late adolescence were all associated with greater risk of NHL. Breastfeeding duration of >6 months compared to never being breastfed was inversely associated with NHL risk. We did not observe any statistically significant associations for other perinatal and early life factors evaluated, and overall associations did not substantively vary by major NHL subtype. Excess body weight across the life course, including in early life, may influence risk of developing NHL later in life.