During pregnancy, several seasonal factors can influence the development of the fetus.
Our health is the result of our genes and our lifestyle. And if a much earlier parameter, and completely independent of our will, also played a role? This is the question that they are asked of Canadian researchers, whose recent study suggests a surprising link between the season of our birth and the risk of developing certain disorders.
The researchers’ objective was to scientifically explore this link with certain current disorders. To achieve this, they recruited more than 300 participants, aged 26 on average. Everyone answered questionnaires to assess their mental health, their mood variations and anxious symptoms. Scientists then analyzed the data by ensuring that factors such as age, sex or income did not fause the results. “The birth season exposes the fetus to variable environmental and developmental conditions which can influence healthy health results”summarize the authors in the review Plos Mental Health.
According to their results, people born in summer are more exposed to the risk of developing a well -known mental illness: depression. By comparing the results between genres, men would also be much more concerned. “Men born during the summer had higher depression (…) than men born during other seasons”explain the researchers. Depression is a disease that is characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest or pleasure for daily activities. But how to explain this link? During pregnancy, several seasonal factors can play on the development of the baby’s brain: the mother’s exposure to the sun (for vitamin D), her diet or the risk of contracting viruses are not the same in winter in summer. These elements could subtly influence the brain in development, creating a different vulnerability later in life.
Mental health is therefore complex, the fruit of an interaction between our genes, our history and our environment. If this discovery does not change treatments today, it recalls the importance of prevention. If you or one of your loved ones feel persistent sadness, intense fatigue or loss of motivation, never hesitate to talk to a health professional, who will listen to you and accompany you.
