Birth month may increase chance of allergies

The season in which a person is born may have a long-term impact on the likelihood they will suffer from allergies, a new study indicates.

Researchers found that particular epigenetic marks (specifically, DNA methylation) were associated with season of birth and still present 18 years later.

The research team was able to link these birth season epigenetic marks to allergic disease.

John Holloway, professor of allergy and respiratory genetics at the University of Southampton, was one of the authors of the study, which has been published in the journal Allergy.

He said: ‘These are really interesting results. We know that season of birth has an effect on people throughout their lives.

For example generally, people born in autumn and winter are at increased risk for allergic diseases such as asthma. However, until now, we did not know how the effects can be so long lasting.

He added: ‘Our study has linked specific epigenetic marks with season of birth and risk of allergy. However, while these results have clinical implications in mediating against allergy risk, we are not advising altering pregnancy timing.’

The researcher is based on a cohort of more than 350 18-year-old participants from the Isle of Wight.

The researchers say the study demonstrates that DNA methylation in adulthood is associated with season of birth, ‘supporting the hypothesis that DNA methylation could mechanistically underlie the effect of season of birth on allergy’.

Although they add that other mechanisms are also likely to be involved.

For more information and full article click here