Hepatoblastoma incidence in the United States from 1973 to 1992

Background. There is recent evidence to suggest that extremely low birth weight is associated with the occurrence of hepatoblastoma. Procedure. In light of this possibility, we evaluated trends in hepatoblastoma incidence in the United States among children age 4 years and younger. Results. We found an increasing trend (5.2%) in hepatoblastoma incidence over the past two decades, a period that corresponds with improved survival of very low birth weight children. Conclusion. Future studies of hepatoblastoma that incorporate birth weight are appropriate.