In a study published in the journal eClinical Medicine, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US, revealed that women with an earlier diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be at increased risk and can increase the odds of adverse outcomes in babies.

In the study, the researchers analyzed the data collected from 207 births in women with early-onset colorectal cancer and 1,019 births in matched controls. The findings of the study showed a 2.5-fold increased odds of preeclampsia and a 79% increased odds of emergency caesarean delivery in women with early-onset colorectal cancer in comparison to women without prior colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer was also linked to a 2.3-fold increased risk of preterm delivery, which was the most prominent factor in most cases of medically induced preterm birth. Dr Yin Cao, Associate Professor of Surgery and Medicine, noted that the findings of the study provide crucial evidence to support the clinical management of women with this condition during their reproductive years.

On the other hand, Professor Jonas F. Ludvigsson, a paediatrician at Orebro University Hospital and Professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, stated that the findings of the study did not show any increased odds of congenital malformations or small for gestational age birth in women with colorectal cancer.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed before age 50) has increased globally, resulting in more colorectal cancer diagnoses among women of reproductive age. At present, colorectal cancer has received minimal attention in pregnancy and neonatal birth outcomes studies in cancer survivors. Most studies are usually conducted among adolescents and young adults to study the various aspects of the malignancies and tumours of the female reproductive organs.

(Source: https://www.thehansindia.com/featured/womenia/maternal-colorectal-cancer-linked-to-adverse-pregnancy-outcomes-study-794250 )