Children of fathers who smoke may be at higher risk of developing childhood leukemia, even when fathers quit smoking prior to conception, Reuters reported June 28.

A study led by University of California researchers found that paternal smoking appeared to raise the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children, and might also be linked to an elevated risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Maternal smoking, on the other hand, did not seem to be related to leukemia risk among children.

Researcher Jeffrey S. Chang and colleagues noted that the findings on AML were based on a small group of research subjects, but said the study could provide an incentive for men to quit smoking.

The research was published in the June 2006 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.