Objectives: We aimed to analyse the pattern of childhood cancer mortality among children under 15 years in Hungary between 2001 and 2021. In addition, annual and cyclical trends were examined.Methods: The number of deaths was obtained from the nationwide population register over the study period by gender, age group, and region for each year. Data were analysed using the Poisson regression method and cyclic trends were investigated using the Walter–Elwood method.Results: Overall, 14,931 childhood deaths (1092 from cancers) were registered between 2001 and 2021. The cancer mortality risk was significantly higher among boys than girls. A significantly decreasing trend was detected for yearly childhood cancer mortality rates, with an annual IRR of 0.976 (95% CI: 0.966–0.986;p< 0.001). This tendency was not influenced by the pandemic. However, different patterns of seasonal variation were revealed in childhood cancer mortality rates during 2020–2021 and 2001–2019.Conclusions: The annual trend in childhood cancer mortality was not affected by the coronavirus pandemic. However, there was a different pattern of childhood cancer mortality during the pandemic and non-pandemic period in Hungary. Considering the seasonal variation in monthly childhood cancer mortality rates, we hypothesized that environmental factors might play an important role in the aetiology of childhood cancer deaths.
目的：本研究旨在分析2001年至2021年间匈牙利15岁以下儿童癌症死亡率的分布特征，并探讨其年度变化趋势与周期性规律。 方法：通过全国人口登记系统获取研究期间按年份、性别、年龄组及地区划分的儿童死亡数据。采用泊松回归模型进行统计分析，并运用Walter-Elwood方法检验周期性趋势。 结果：2001-2021年间共记录14,931例儿童死亡病例，其中癌症相关死亡1,092例。男性儿童的癌症死亡风险显著高于女性。儿童癌症死亡率呈现显著逐年下降趋势，年度发病率比（IRR）为0.976（95% CI：0.966-0.986；p<0.001）。该趋势未受新冠疫情影响，但2020-2021年与2001-2019年两个时期的儿童癌症死亡率呈现出不同的季节性波动特征。 结论：匈牙利儿童癌症死亡率的年度变化趋势未受冠状病毒大流行影响，但大流行期间与非大流行时期的死亡率模式存在差异。基于月死亡率呈现的季节性变化特征，我们推测环境因素可能在儿童癌症死亡的病因学机制中发挥重要作用。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家