Does the month of birth influence health ?

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Extract from the article: The idea may sound like something out of astrology, but scientific research suggests that the month of birth may well play a role in future health. There's nothing mystical about this phenomenon. It can be explained by environmental factors, such...

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The idea may sound like something out of astrology, but scientific research suggests that the month of birth may well play a role in future health. There's nothing mystical about this phenomenon. It can be explained by environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun during pregnancy. A study published in the « British Medical Journal » reveals an increased risk of certain diseases in people born in spring, particularly in May. The cause : reduced exposure to sunlight during the last months of pregnancy, typical of gestations. This low level of sunlight limits the mother's synthesis of vitamin D, essential for the development of the fetus' immune system.

Research by the University of Michigan shows a higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis in people born in May. Conversely, births in November, a period preceded by sunnier months, are associated with a reduced risk. However, these results must be interpreted with caution : they are statistical correlations, not absolute predictions. The researchers insist that other factors, such as heredity, lifestyle and access to healthcare, play a much more decisive role in health status.

Jean ELI