Increased risk of brain tumors in children exposed to barbiturates.

The possible etiologic role of barbiturates in the development of brain tumors in children was examined. Interviews were conducted with mothers of children with brain tumors and results compared with those from interviews with mothers of normal children and mothers of children with other cancers. Mothers of children with brain tumors more frequently reported having used barbiturates during their pregnancy with the index child than did mothers of normal children or mothers of children with other cancers. In addition, more children with brain tumors were reported to have used barbiturates than were normal children or children with other malignant diseases, with most of such uses appearing to be unrelated to symptoms resulting from the brain tumor itself. The results suggested that barbiturates may play an etiologic role, and it is estimated that as many as 8% of brain tumors in children may be attributable to use of barbiturates either by the child or prenatally by the mother.