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Background Parental ages, parity, and social class have been found in some studies to be associated with particular childhood cancers. Further investigation is warranted because of conflicting findings, biases, and the need to test specific hypotheses.

Methods A case-control study was conducted (England and Wales, ages 0–14 years). Cases were ascertained from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours, and were born and diagnosed during 1968–1986. Birth record controls were matched 1:1 to cases on date of birth, sex and area. Information on variables of interest for both groups came from birth records. In all, 10 162 pairs could contribute to matched analyses.

Results The odds ratio (OR) for retinoblastoma resulting from assumed new germ cell mutations among children of fathers aged ≥45 years was 3.0 (95% CI : 0.2–41.7). The risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic …