ArticleMultiple sclerosis journal - experimental, translational and clinical2021
Season of birth is associated with multiple sclerosis and disease severity.
Article in Multiple sclerosis journal - experimental, translational and clinical, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Disrupted Vitamin D Signaling and Metabolism in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders.ASN neuro · 2026Review
- Oxidative Stress in Brain Function.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Investigating the association between season of birth and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults.PLOS mental health · 2025Article
- Impact of the first Gulf war on multiple sclerosis risk in Kuwait: a quasi-experimental study.BMC neurology · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe latitude gradient in multiple sclerosis incidence indicates that low sun exposure and therefore vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple sclerosis risk.
objectiveInvestigation of the effect of month of birth, which influences postnatal vitamin D levels, on multiple sclerosis risk and severity in Sweden.
methodsPatients and population-based controls were included from three nationwide cohorts. Differences in month of birth between cases and controls were analyzed using logistic regression and examined for effect modification by calendar year and geographic region at birth.
resultsMales had a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis if born in the winter and increased risk if born in the early fall. Individuals born before 1960 had an increased risk if born in summer or fall. Being born in late summer and early fall was associated with more severe disease.
conclusionsWe identified a birth cohort effect on the association between the month of birth and multiple sclerosis, with a more significant effects for births before 1960. This coincides with a period of lower breastfeeding rates, recommended intake of vitamin D, and sun exposure, resulting in a lower vitamin D exposure during the fall/winter season for infants born in the summer.
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Registered trials
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