A new research claims that the month in which a baby is born influences its immune system and vitamin D levels.
The research published in JAMA Neurology says that babies born in May have lower levels of vitamin D and a risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Cord blood samples were taken from 50 babies born in November and 50 samples from babies born in May between 2009 and 2010. The samples were collected in London, where the "month of birth" effect is particularly evident, stated the study.
The levels of vitamin D and white blood cells involved in the body's immune response were studied through the blood samples. White Cells or T-cells are known to fight foreign agents(any infections-viruses, bacteria) in the body. But sometimes they turn rogue and turn on the body triggering autoimmune diseases and these T-cells have to be identified and destroyed by the immune system early. This job is done by thymus, an organ located in the upper chest cavity.
The research revealed that the vitamin D levels in the babies born in May were 20 percent lower than November babies. The level of autoreactive T-cells was found to be double to that of November babies.
"By showing that month of birth has a measurable impact on in utero immune system development, this study provides a potential biological explanation for the widely observed 'month of birth' effect in MS," study co-author, Dr Sreeram Ramagopalan, a lecturer in neuroscience at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry at the Queen Mary University of London, said in a university news release.
"Higher levels of autoreactive T-cells, which have the ability to turn [against] the body, could explain why babies born in May are at a higher risk of developing MS," he added.
"The correlation with vitamin D suggests this could be the driver of this effect," said Ramagopalan. "There is a need for long-term studies to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women and the subsequent impact on immune system development and risk of MS and other autoimmune diseases."
