Babies born in Nov. have least chance of developing MS
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:11 am
I came across an article from the UK, stating that, in terms of babies born in Canada and the UK, more babies born in May develop MS than those born in any other month. And that babies born in November are the least likely to develop MS.
Don't know if that would be true in the USA.
I also learned (from the MS Society of Scotland) that there are more cases of MS in Scotland per capita than in any other country. (Probably a lot of you already knew this, but I didn't.) Here's a link to the MS Society of Scotland, an interesting little website I'd never seen:
http://www.mssocietyscotland.org.uk/
Obviously we can't do anything about when and where we were born, but maybe these strange little puzzle pieces, along with others, will someday help reveal a clearer picture of the environmental causes of MS.
Article below from http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5033314.html
MAY BABIES ARE MORE PRONE TO MS
Babies born in May have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis in later life, research suggested today.
The study, involving more than 11,500 patients in Britain and 17,800 in Canada, found that being born in November carried the lowest risk of MS in countries in the northern hemisphere.
The researchers, including a team from Oxford University, said they suspected that complex interactions between genes and the environment shortly before birth may explain the link between month of birth and MS risk.
They added: "The effect is greater in Scotland, where the prevalence of this disease is highest."
They said past studies suggested that exposure to the sun or seasonal variations in the mother's vitamin D level during pregnancy may have an impact on brain development.
The findings prompted calls for more research on the extent of MS in Scotland, which affects some 10,400 people.
Mark Hazelwood, director of MS Society Scotland, said the study added weight to an accepted view that something in the environment influenced the development of MS. Babies born in May have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis in later life, research suggested today.
The study, involving more than 11,500 patients in Britain and 17,800 in Canada, found that being born in November carried the lowest risk of MS in countries in the northern hemisphere.
The researchers, including a team from Oxford University, said they suspected that complex interactions between genes and the environment shortly before birth may explain the link between month of birth and MS risk.
They added: "The effect is greater in Scotland, where the prevalence of this disease is highest."
They said past studies suggested that exposure to the sun or seasonal variations in the mother's vitamin D level during pregnancy may have an impact on brain development.
The findings prompted calls for more research on the extent of MS in Scotland, which affects some 10,400 people.
Mark Hazelwood, director of MS Society Scotland, said the study added weight to an accepted view that something in the environment influenced the development of MS.
Copyright © 2004 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All Rights Reserved
Don't know if that would be true in the USA.
I also learned (from the MS Society of Scotland) that there are more cases of MS in Scotland per capita than in any other country. (Probably a lot of you already knew this, but I didn't.) Here's a link to the MS Society of Scotland, an interesting little website I'd never seen:
http://www.mssocietyscotland.org.uk/
Obviously we can't do anything about when and where we were born, but maybe these strange little puzzle pieces, along with others, will someday help reveal a clearer picture of the environmental causes of MS.
Article below from http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5033314.html
MAY BABIES ARE MORE PRONE TO MS
Babies born in May have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis in later life, research suggested today.
The study, involving more than 11,500 patients in Britain and 17,800 in Canada, found that being born in November carried the lowest risk of MS in countries in the northern hemisphere.
The researchers, including a team from Oxford University, said they suspected that complex interactions between genes and the environment shortly before birth may explain the link between month of birth and MS risk.
They added: "The effect is greater in Scotland, where the prevalence of this disease is highest."
They said past studies suggested that exposure to the sun or seasonal variations in the mother's vitamin D level during pregnancy may have an impact on brain development.
The findings prompted calls for more research on the extent of MS in Scotland, which affects some 10,400 people.
Mark Hazelwood, director of MS Society Scotland, said the study added weight to an accepted view that something in the environment influenced the development of MS. Babies born in May have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis in later life, research suggested today.
The study, involving more than 11,500 patients in Britain and 17,800 in Canada, found that being born in November carried the lowest risk of MS in countries in the northern hemisphere.
The researchers, including a team from Oxford University, said they suspected that complex interactions between genes and the environment shortly before birth may explain the link between month of birth and MS risk.
They added: "The effect is greater in Scotland, where the prevalence of this disease is highest."
They said past studies suggested that exposure to the sun or seasonal variations in the mother's vitamin D level during pregnancy may have an impact on brain development.
The findings prompted calls for more research on the extent of MS in Scotland, which affects some 10,400 people.
Mark Hazelwood, director of MS Society Scotland, said the study added weight to an accepted view that something in the environment influenced the development of MS.
Copyright © 2004 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All Rights Reserved