Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 1066 |
| Title: | Intergenerational effects of maternal birth season on offspring size in rural Gambia |
| Author(s): | Rickard IJ, Courtiol A, et al |
| Reference: | Proc Biol Sci. 2012 Oct 22;279(1745):4253-62. Epub 2012 Aug 15. |
| Place of Study: | Gambia |
| Abstract: | Using Fourier regression to model seasonality, the author test whether (i) parental birth season has intergenerational consequences for offspring in utero growth (1982 neonates, born 1976-2009) and (ii) whether such effects have been reduced by improvements to population health in recent decades. Contrary to their predictions, the authors show effects of maternal birth season on offspring birth weight and head circumference only in recent maternal cohorts born after 1975. Offspring birth weight varied according to maternal birth season from 2.85 to 3.03 kg among women born during 1975-1984 and from 2.84 to 3.41 kg among those born after 1984, but the seasonality effect reversed between these cohorts. These results were not mediated by differences in maternal age or parity. Equivalent patterns were observed for offspring head circumference (statistically significant) and length (not significant), but not for ponderal index. No relationships were found between paternal birth season and offspring neonatal anthropometrics. These results indicate that even in rural populations living under conditions of relative affluence, brief variation in environmental conditions during maternal early life may exert long-term intergenerational effects on offspring. |
| Keyword(s): | Gambia, intergenerational studies, seasonality of birth |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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