Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0017 |
| Title: | Low weight gain in infancy and suicide in adult life |
| Author(s): | Barker DJP, Osmond C, et al. |
| Reference: | BMJ, 1995;311:123 |
| Place of Study: | England |
| Abstract: | This study examined the association between infant growth and later suicide in 15,500 men and women born in Hertfordshire from 1911 onwards. The main conclusion is that each kg decrease in weight gain between birth and one year was associated with an increased risk of suicide of 45%. In other words the authors suggest that suicide in adulthood may be a direct consequence of impaired growth during the first year of life. |
| Keyword(s): | birth weight, suicide, weight gain in infancy |
| Discussion: | This study has been highly criticised regarding the interpretation of poor weight gain during the first year after birth. The author proposed a theory of development based on the idea of fetal programming of neuro-endocrine function as a common cause of poor weight gain in infancy. Issues such as maternal depression were not discussed at all. See Chris Hollis: "low weight gain in infancy and suicide in early adult life. The evidence does not support the theory" BMJ, 1996;312:5110 (letter). |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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