Meta-analysis on Relationship between Benzene Exposure during Pregnancy and Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Objective The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the controversial association between the benzene exposure during pregnancy and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods Fourteen relevant published articles were searched from domestic and foreign databases and the meta-analysis was performed after extracting data from included literatures. Results Benzene exposure during pregnancy could increase the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.21(1.03, 1.42) for solvent, 1.66(1.24, 2.23) for petroleum, and 1.16(1.01, 1.33) for house painting. No association was found between childhood ALL and smoking during pregnancy. Conclusions Benzene exposure in pregnancy is a risk factor for childhood leukemia, further research is necessary on the relationship between childhood ALL and smoking during pregnancy.