Season and weather patterns at time of birth in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Studies in the northern hemisphere suggest that the numbers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) births vary depending on the season of the year. We wished to determine if a southern hemisphere study would show the same seasonal changes, and whether particular weather conditions were associated with the numbers of ALS births. Birth data from a case-control study of Australian residents were used to relate monthly birth rates of ALS to the seasons and weather conditions. The results were compared with previous studies in Japan, Sweden and Switzerland. Four hundred and ninety-one Australian sporadic ALS patients and 629 controls (partners, friends, and community volunteers) completed a self-reported questionnaire that included dates of birth. Australian ALS birth rates increased between late summer and early winter, and decreased between mid-winter and early summer. Similar patterns were seen in Japan and Sweden. Monthly average humidity correlated positively with the numbers of ALS births in Australia, Sweden, and Japan. In conclusion, seasonal differences in ALS birth rates in the southern hemisphere are similar to those in two out of three northern hemisphere countries. Early life factors related to weather conditions, such as increased humidity leading to more infectious diseases and allergens, need to be further investigated in ALS.

Key words::

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• motor neuron disease
• season of birth
• weather
• early development

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Aimee Stacey Memorial Bequest, the Burnett Bequest, the Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute of Australia, and the Swedish Research Council. Questionnaire data were obtained from the Australian Motor Neuron Disease DNA Bank, which is supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Enabling Grant. FF was supported by postdoctoral fellowships from Hjärnfonden and Svenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning (SSMF). We thank participants for donating questionnaire data and neurologists who provided clinical details on their patients.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.