Multiple sclerosis: those born in May are most at risk
Multiple sclerosis: being born in May can be a disadvantage
If until now your child's birth month could interest you to know his or her zodiac sign in advance, now you will have one more reason to dwell on this detail.
Low levels of vitamin D
A London University study in association with Oxford University, in fact, analyzed the relationship between birth month, vitamin D levels, and immune system development in infants, finding that birth month may determine the propensity to develop multiple sclerosis.
The importance of vit. D during pregnancy
The study led by Dr. Ramagopalan, focused on trying to explain what is known as the"month effect" in multiple sclerosis. The researchers studied the relationship of vitamin D levels in pregnant women, levels of self-reactive T cells in the newborn the propensity to develop auto immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin D and autoreactive T cells
Vitamin D plays a key role in the development of the immune system of the unborn child, as well as aiding calcification processes and bone development. T lymphocytes are critical to the immune response to certain viruses. Some of them are self-reactive and even capable of attacking their own bodies. The immune system, as it matures, should eliminate precisely this "abnormal" version of T lymphocytes.
The study
Umbilical cord samples taken from 100 births were analyzed: 50 born in November and 50 born in May. Those born in May had 20 percent lower vitamin D levels than those born in November, and nearly twice as many potentially harmful self-reactive T lymphocytes.
By showing that the month of birth has an impact on the maturation of the unborn child's immune system, this study offers for the first time a potential biological explanation on the well-known effect of "month of birth" in multiple sclerosis cases.
The researchers called attention to the importance of supplementing the mother with adequate doses of vitamin D.
During pregnancy, most women take multivitamin and multimineral supplements, but the results of this study show that vitamin D3 doses may not be adequate. While supplementation is always recommended for all mothers-to-be, pregnant women in the winter months should consider it a must.
Disanto, G; Watson T.C.; Giovannoni, G; V. Ramagopalan et al. Month of Birth and Thymic Output JAMA Neurol . 2013;70(4):527-528. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.2116. http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1676651
