This study addresses the question of birth weight and the development of MS. Genetic and environmental factors have important roles in MS susceptibility. It has been shown that a low birth weight increases the risk of several adult-onset diseases. Conducted in a population-based Canadian cohort, this study investigated whether there is any difference in birth weight for MS index cases compared to spousal controls. The researchers identified 6,188 MS index cases and 1,640 spousal controls with birth weight information. Additionally, data was available on 164 discordant MS twins. The birth weight was compared between index cases and controls as well as for twin pairs. When stratifying by sex, no significant difference in birth weight was found (average female index case birth weight = 7.23 pounds, average female control birth weight = 7.19 pounds, average male index case birth weight = 7.56 pounds, average male control birth weight = 7.55 pounds). Furthermore, there was no difference in birth weight between affected and unaffected twins (average affected twin weight = 5.46 pounds, average unaffected twin weight = 5.44 pounds). From this study, the maternal effect in MS does not appear to act through a route that has an influence on birth weight. As birth weight is a relatively poor marker of fetal development, other factors involved in fetal and early development need to be explored to determine the mechanism of the increased MS risk conferred maternally.

(Available from: http://www.pubmed.gov PMID: 18784417)

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