More food allergies among infants born in autumn and winter
Babies born in autumn and winter are more likely to develop food allergy than those born in spring and summer, according to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Researchers believe that this trend could be explained by lack of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, which is necessary for the development of the child’s immune system.
Allergies seemed related to season of birth, but only among children aged 5 years or less. Among children 5 years or less treated for allergies, 41% were born in spring or summer and 55% were born in autumn and winter.
The researchers acknowledge that other factors such as infections, family history of allergy, maternal nutrition and child exposure to indoor pollutants may contribute to food allergies. But they believe that vitamin D and hence the birth month, is a potential risk factor for developing allergies. Exposure to low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and immediately after birth could be the key, they say.
Previous studies have associated the month of birth and other allergic conditions such as asthma, recurrent wheezing and dermatitis.
Milo Vassallo Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and colleagues analyzed the records of the 1002 children who were admitted to food allergies in three hospitals over a period of six years.