Abstract
Background: he risk of type 1 diabetes (1DM), infections, cancer, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been
associated with environmental factors including vitamin D status.
Results: No associations between season of birth and risk of MS were seen in the 1940 cohort or the 1996 cohort. In the
1977 cohort, there was a borderline statistically significant decreased risk of MS in those born during wintertime compared
with those born during summertime (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.47–1.04, p = 0.07). here were no significant differences within
the groups regarding season and risk of 1DM at any age, 1DM before 10 y, infection, any type of cancer, schizophrenia
and myocardial infarction. In the 1977 cohort the risk of pneumonia was significantly lower among those born in the
summer compared with the winter at any age (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97, p < 0.01) and at age < 10 y (HR 0.90, 95% CI
0.84–0.97, p < 0.01).
Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from all children born in Denmark in 1940 (n = 72,839), 1977 (n = 89,570), and
1996 (n = 74,015). Information on contacts to hospitals (1977–2009) was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge
Register. he main exposure variable was season of birth as a proxy variable for vitamin D status (summer: April–
September and winter: ctober–March).
Conclusion: MS and pneumonia in young subjects may be related to season of birth and thus maternal vitamin D
exposure. Low sunlight exposure in the winter time leading to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be a potential
explanation.
associated with environmental factors including vitamin D status.
Results: No associations between season of birth and risk of MS were seen in the 1940 cohort or the 1996 cohort. In the
1977 cohort, there was a borderline statistically significant decreased risk of MS in those born during wintertime compared
with those born during summertime (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.47–1.04, p = 0.07). here were no significant differences within
the groups regarding season and risk of 1DM at any age, 1DM before 10 y, infection, any type of cancer, schizophrenia
and myocardial infarction. In the 1977 cohort the risk of pneumonia was significantly lower among those born in the
summer compared with the winter at any age (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97, p < 0.01) and at age < 10 y (HR 0.90, 95% CI
0.84–0.97, p < 0.01).
Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from all children born in Denmark in 1940 (n = 72,839), 1977 (n = 89,570), and
1996 (n = 74,015). Information on contacts to hospitals (1977–2009) was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge
Register. he main exposure variable was season of birth as a proxy variable for vitamin D status (summer: April–
September and winter: ctober–March).
Conclusion: MS and pneumonia in young subjects may be related to season of birth and thus maternal vitamin D
exposure. Low sunlight exposure in the winter time leading to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be a potential
explanation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 309-316 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Dermato-Endocrinology |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- cancer
- pneumonia
- schizophrenia
- myocardial infarction
- Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
- type 1 diabetes
