Publications by authors named "Elizabeth Cairney"
Various birth characteristics may influence healthy childhood development, including the risk of developing childhood brain tumors (CBTs). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between delivery methods, obstetric history, and birth anthropometrics with the risk of CBTs. This study used data from the Childhood Brain Tumour Epidemiology Study of Ontario (CBREO) which included children 0-15 years of age and newly diagnosed with CBTs from 1997 to 2003.
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- The study explored factors affecting spinal reshaping in children with leukemia and other conditions who were treated with glucocorticoids (GC), analyzing 79 kids over 6 years.
- Results showed that 82.3% of the children had complete vertebral body reshaping within 1.3 years, with more success in the thoracic region than the lumbar region.
- Increased GC exposure, a higher spinal deformity index (SDI), and more severe or additional vertebral fractures negatively impacted the likelihood of reshaping, indicating these children could be at risk for lasting spinal issues.
Article Synopsis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary condition linked to a higher risk of various cancers, with about 70% of affected individuals carrying a detectable genetic variant, but some still remain cancer-free.
- Researchers analyzed the genomes of 396 LFS patients to uncover additional cancer-related genetic factors and identified alternative cancer-associated mutations in those without a known variant.
- The study highlights the need for more comprehensive genetic testing in LFS patients and suggests that cancer risk cannot be solely attributed to single gene mutations, but rather involves a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic factors.
Osteonecrosis (ON) is a serious complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We determined the prevalence of osteonecrotic lesions in our patient population by a one-time multisite magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more than 1 year following leukemia therapy. MRI findings were evaluated in relationship to clinical factors (including longitudinal changes in bone mineral density [BMD]).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Studies to date have yielded inconclusive results as to whether maternal medical history during pregnancy, and a child's early-life medical history contribute to the development of childhood brain tumours (CBTs). This study examined associations between maternal and childhood medical history and the risk of CBTs.
Methods: The Childhood Brain Tumour Epidemiology Study of Ontario (CBREO) examined children 0-15 years of age with newly diagnosed CBTs from 1997 to 2003.
Thiopurine Methyltransferase Intermediate Metabolizer Status and Thiopurine-Associated Toxicity During Maintenance Therapy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Clin Pharmacol Ther
June 2023
Article Synopsis
- Genetic variations affecting the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) can increase toxicity risk, especially in patients with TPMT deficiency, leading to higher TGN exposure.
- A study of 88 pediatric patients found that those with intermediate TPMT activity faced significantly more febrile neutropenia and myelotoxicity compared to those with normal activity, suggesting the need for adjusted dosing based on genetic status to lower toxicity risks.
Head trauma in early childhood has been hypothesized as a potential risk factor for childhood brain tumours (CBTs). However, head trauma has not been extensively studied in the context of CBTs and existing studies have yielded conflicting results. A population-based and hospital-based case-control study of children 0 to 15 years with newly diagnosed CBTs from 1997 to 2003 recruited across Ontario through paediatric oncology centres was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (CMMRD) is a lethal cancer predisposition syndrome characterized by early-onset synchronous and metachronous multiorgan tumors. We designed a surveillance protocol for early tumor detection in these individuals.
Patients And Methods: Data were collected from patients with confirmed CMMRD who were registered in the International Replication Repair Deficiency Consortium.
Objective: To assess the effect of vertebral fractures (VF) and glucocorticoid (GC) exposure on height deficits in children during treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Methods: Children with ALL treated without cranial radiation therapy (n = 160; median age, 5.1 years; 58.
Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objective was to determine the incidence and predictors of fractures and recovery from osteoporosis in pediatric ALL over 6 years following glucocorticoid initiation. Vertebral fractures (VF) and vertebral body reshaping were assessed on annual spine radiographs, low-trauma non-VF were recorded at regular intervals and spine bone mineral density (BMD) was captured every 6 months for 4 years and then annually.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Children with Down syndrome (DS) have an elevated risk of developing acute leukemia, but little is known about treatment-related neuropsychological morbidity because they are systematically excluded from research in this area. The current study investigated neuropsychological outcomes in children with DS treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared to children with DS with no history of cancer.
Procedure: Participants were 4 to 17 years of age at testing and were administered measures of intelligence, academic achievement, language, visual-motor and fine-motor skills, and adaptive function.
Purpose: Vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis are a potential complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To date, the incidence of vertebral fractures during ALL treatment has not been reported.
Patient And Methods: We prospectively evaluated 155 children with ALL during the first 12 months of leukemia therapy.
Palliative care of children with brain tumors: a parental perspective.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
March 2010
Objective: To explore the end-of-life experience of children with brain tumors and their families.
Design: Qualitative analysis of focus group interviews.
Setting: Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Center.
Advanced vertebral fracture among newly diagnosed children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of the Canadian Steroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) research program.
J Bone Miner Res
July 2009
Article Synopsis
- Vertebral compression fractures are a serious issue in children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with 16% of a studied group showing signs of these fractures within 30 days of diagnosis.
- A study involving 186 children revealed that most fractures occurred in the thoracic spine, and that lower bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with a higher likelihood of fractures.
- The results emphasize that vertebral compression fractures are often overlooked in new ALL diagnoses, and further research is needed to see if these fractures heal during or after treatment.
Introduction: The purpose of this review was to analyze outcomes for pediatric patients treated for more common (non-low grade glioma) primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors at a Regional (tertiary) Cancer Center. Comparison to reported results from other regional centres and results from the contemporary literature were made.
Material And Methods: The records of pediatric patients treated with radiotherapy at the London Regional Cancer Center (LRCC) for more common (non-low grade glioma) primary CNS tumors between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed.