Researchers have found epigenetic changes that indicate the season in which someone was born, it has been announced.
The changes are also linked to some kinds of allergy, providing new clues about how season of birth may affect allergy risk, according to the researchers at Southampton University, UK.
One DNA marker links birth in the autumn to increased risk of developing eczema, according to the researchers.
The findings, published in the journal Allergy, come from a study of DNA samples from 367 18-year-olds born on the Isle of Wight, UK, and showed that the epigenetic changes lasted at least 18 years.
Researcher Professor John Holloway said the results were "really interesting."
He said: "We know that season of birth has an effect on people throughout their lives. For example, generally, people born in autumn and winter are at increased risk for allergic diseases such as asthma. However, until now, we did not know how the effects can be so long lasting.
He added: "While these results have clinical implications in mediating against allergy risk, we are not advising altering pregnancy timing."
Association of Season of Birth with DNA Methylation and Allergic Disease Allergy in press; doi: 10.1111/all.12882 [abstract]
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