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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 May 14;16(5):e0251628.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251628. eCollection 2021.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

GyeongAe Seomun  1 , Juneyoung Lee  2 , Jinkyung Park  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

GyeongAe Seomun et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are classified as a possible carcinogenic factor (Group 2B). This study assessed the association between ELF-MFs and childhood cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Three databases were searched in January 2020. We conducted a meta-analysis for the association between the ELF-MFs exposure level and childhood cancer.

Results: A total of 33 studies were identified. Thirty studies with 186,223 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Children exposed to 0.2-, 0.3-, and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.49), 1.22 (95% CI 0.93-1.61), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.25-2.35) times higher odds of childhood leukemia. In childhood brain tumors, children exposed to 0.2-μT had a 0.95 (95% CI 0.59-1.56) times higher odds, and those exposed to 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.25 (95% CI 0.93-1.61). Children exposed to 0.2- and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.10 (95% CI 0.70-1.75) and 2.01 (95% CI 0.89-4.52) times higher odds of any childhood cancers.

Conclusions: Significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The flow chart of the search for eligible studies.
PRISMA flow diagram with the process of identification, screening, eligibility, and included studies in systematic review and meta-analysis. n number of studies. * The additional studies were identified from the EMF research databases (www.emf-portal.org) and the references list of the retrieved studies.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Forest plot and funnel plot of exposure to ELF-MFs and risk of childhood leukemia.
The pooled odds ratio of childhood leukemia by each exposure level of ELF-MFs: A 0.2-μT exposure level; B 0.3-μT exposure level; C 0.4-μT exposure level.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plot and funnel plot of exposure to ELF-MFs and risk of childhood brain tumor.
The pooled odds ratio of childhood brain tumor by each exposure level of ELF-MFs: A 0.2-μT exposure level; B 0.4-μT exposure level.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Forest plot and funnel plot of exposure to ELF-MFs and risk of any childhood cancer.
The pooled odds ratio of any childhood cancer by each exposure level of ELF-MFs: A 0.2-μT exposure level; B 0.4-μT exposure level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (grant number: 2018R1D1A1B07051103) and Korea University Grant.

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