No evidence of seasonality of birth in adult type 2 diabetes in Denmark

Aims/hypothesis The season of birth might influence prenatal circumstances, which may influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in Denmark changed with the season of birth. Methods This study used data from the population-based Copenhagen School Health Records Register (CSHRR) that includes schoolchildren born between 1930 and 1989. Via a personal identification number, the CSHRR was linked to the National Patient Register containing hospital discharge diagnoses since 1977. The effect of seasonal variation in birth on the risk of type 2 diabetes was assessed using Cox regression, with month or season of birth as the predictor. The underlying time variable was age, and follow-up started in 1977 or at age 30 years. Results The study population consisted of 223,099 people, of whom 12,486 developed adult type 2 diabetes. Using January as the reference month, the risk of type 2 diabetes by month of birth was not statistically different for any of the 11 comparative birth months. Grouping month of birth into seasons (spring was the reference) gave essentially similar results, showing no difference in the risk of type 2 diabetes for any season. Repeating the analysis by sex, birth cohort and birthweight categories revealed no associations. Conclusions/interpretation The risk of adult type 2 diabetes was not associated with month of birth in a large Danish population-based study. The results suggest that the causes of seasonality in birthweight are not causes of type 2 diabetes.