Risk of multiple sclerosis inversely associated with birth order position

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Abstract
Whether an association between risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) and birth order position exists. The reference population was 198,000 persons born from 1930-50 and recorded in the register of school health records of the Copenhagen council [Denmark]. Persons (46) developing MS were compared with matched controls from the register, 3 for each case. An inverse association between risk of MS and birth order position was found. Early birth orders tend to delay exposure to an infectious agent from early childhood to a later age. MS apparently is causally related to an infection that is inapparent when it occurs in early childhood. Infection later in life may result in severe disease.

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