Maternal vitamin use may relate to leukemia risk in Down syndrome

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) increases a child's risk of developing leukemia (a blood cancer) nearly 20-fold. Researchers at the University of Minnesota matched 158 children with Down syndrome who developed acute leukemia to 173 with Down syndrome without leukemia. Their mothers answered questions about their use of vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy. Vitamin use before pregnancy was linked to a 37% lower risk of leukemia in the children. However, women who reported starting vitamins after they became aware of their pregnancy showed a 61% increased risk of having a child with leukemia. The research was published in the July 15, 2005, issue of Cancer.