Sex differences in childhood cancer risk among children with major birth defects: a Nordic population-based nested case-control study

Background Childhood cancer is more common among children with birth defects, suggesting a common aetiology. Whether this association differs by sex is unclear. Methods We performed a population-based nested case-control study using nationwide health registries in four Nordic countries. We included 21 898 cancer cases (0-19 years) and 218 980 matched population controls, born 1967-2014. Associations between childhood cancer and major birth defects were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression models. Effect modification was evaluated using a counterfactual framework to estimate confidence intervals and P-values for the natural indirect effects. Results Birth defects were present for 5.1% (1117/21 898) of childhood cancer cases and 2.2% (4873/218 980) of controls; OR of cancer was higher for chromosomal (OR = 10, 95% CI = 8.6-12) than for non-chromosomal defects (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.8-2.1), strongest between genetic syndromes/microdeletion and renal tumours, Down syndrome and leukaemia, and nervous system defects and central nervous system tumours. The association between birth defects and cancer was stronger among females (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 2.6-3.1) than males (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.9-2.2, P-interaction <0.001). Male sex was an independent risk factor for childhood cancer, but very little of the overall association between sex and childhood cancer was mediated through birth defects (4.8%, P-NIE <0.001), although more at younger ages (10% below years and 28% below 1 year). Conclusions The birth defect-cancer associations were generally stronger among females than males. Birth defects did not act as a strong mediator for the modest differences in childhood cancer risk by sex, suggesting that other biological pathways are involved.