2. Congenital anomalies
There have been studies suggesting that children born with congenital anomalies — more often referred to as birth defects — could have a higher chance of developing neuroblastoma. Some of the correlations between neuroblastoma and birth defects may be due to the alternations in their genes that occur during the development stages of the fetus. Genes are comprised of DNA and tell our body what it should do. The development of a fetus, while it is still in the uterus of the mother, is also guided by genes.
The genes tell the developing cells how it should divide and grow. If the growth of the cells is abnormal while the fetus is in the uterus, a birth defect can occur. Mutations in genes during the developmental stages of a fetus could increase the risk of childhood cancers like neuroblastoma and also lead to birth defects. That said, not all children with congenital anomalies will develop neuroblastoma.