[Environmental factors and acute leukemia in children. Apropos of a case-control study carried out in the Rhône-Alpes region].

To test the large number of hypotheses proposed as causes for childhood leukemia, a case control study was carried out on every child diagnosed for acute leukemia between 1.1.1977 and 12.31.1982, under the age of 15 and living in the region of Lyon (Rhône-Alpes and Saône-et-Loire). Some factors could not be confirmed, possibly in relation with the relatively small sample size (208 cases). Others were confirmed, especially the excess of incidence among 2 to 4 year old children and those belonging to higher socioeconomic groups. Two new factors were identified: the age of the father (over 40 years at child birth) and the profession of the father (manipulation of meat in the few years prior the diagnosis of leukemia in the child).