Nightlights may lead to Leukemia

Research: Using Nightlights Could Lead To Leukemia

POSTED: 5:42 pm EDT September 8, 2004
UPDATED: 6:13 pm EDT September 8, 2004

A nightlight may help ease your child's fears, but it could actually be more dangerous than the darkness.

Researchers have found that leaving a light on in your children's rooms may increase their risk for childhood leukemia.

Scientists say they don't have proof yet that nightlights cause leukemia, but they do know that being exposed to light at night disrupts your body's internal clock and suppresses production of the hormone melatonin, which is an antioxidant.

Researchers say many studies have shown melatonin can protect your DNA from damage that leads to cell mutation and cancer.

In the past five decades, childhood leukemia has increased by about 50 percent in children under age 5.

http://www.nbc10.com/health/3715896/detail.html

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