Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0219 |
| Title: | No increased mortality in later life for cohorts born during famine |
| Author(s): | Kannisto V, Christensen K, Vaupel JW |
| Reference: | Am J Epidemiology 1997; 145: 987-94 |
| Place of Study: | Finland |
| Abstract: | The authors analysed the survival of the cohorts born in Finland during the severe 1866-68 famine and during the 5 years immediately preceding and 5 years immediately following the famine. The study included 331,932 individuals born before the famine, 161,744 born during the famine and 323,321 born after the famine. The authors assessed survival by cohorts from birth to age 17 and from age 17-40, 60, and 80 years, as well as average length of life after age 80 years. Apart from birth to age 17, mortality was identical in the famine born cohorts and in the five cohorts born before and after the crisis. For example, the mean lifetime after age 80 for males was always between 4.68 and 4.98 whatever the year of birth, and for women it was always between 5.25 and 5.53. The authors conclude that it seems unlikely that nourishment before birth and during infancy is crucial to adult health. The associations found between birth weight and adult morbidity and mortality in the British and Norwegian studies could have other interpretations. |
| Keyword(s): | famine, fetal growth retardation, life expectancy, mortality, nutrition during pregnancy, starvation |
| Discussion: | This large study with a follow-up of 106 years (the last survivor born in 1872 died in 1978) is one of the most authoritative ones regarding the long term effects on health of exposure to famine. See entries 0107 and 0127. |
| See Also: | 0107, 0127 |
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