Christmas babies ‘more likely’ to get multiple sclerosis

Babies born in the November-December period are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) than those born between May and June, according to researchers in Australia.

A study by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Australian National University, published in the British Medical Journal, found babies whose mothers were exposed to lower ambient sunshine during pregnancy were at a greater risk of developing MS.

The findings support previous research which found a reciprocal pattern in the northern hemisphere, where there were more cases of MS among people born in May and fewer in those born in November.

It is thought that lower intake of vitamin D from sunlight during pregnancy is responsible for this trend, as this can influence the development of the central nervous system.

Region of birth was also related to risk, suggesting that postnatal exposure to sunlight during childhood and early adulthood is also important.

In addition, the team added that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy needs to be evaluated to help prevent MS.