An interesting result was presented at this year’s American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions in June: children with type I diabetes are more likely to be born in the spring. The study followed more than 10,000 US children born between 1982 and 2003 and noted that in 85% of children who developed type 1 diabetes, there was a seasonal pattern in birth month that peaks in the spring and drops in the fall. Dr. Henry S. Kahn of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is not yet known why there are seasonal differences, but it could related to exposure to infectious agents, mother’s diet, or even exposure to solar radiation. Some reports from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere have found similar patterns, however, some have not. Understanding the nature of this connection could lead to preventative measures. Full story.
Tags: diabetes, seasons, spring, type 1
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan on Facebook
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.