A recent article in the Journal of Epidermiology and Community Health has discussed a study done in Finland that indicates that there may be a correlation between when a baby is born and it's likelihood to become allergic to specific foods as it grows.

In the study, 6000 children born between 2001 and 2006 were followed medically and then 961 were tested for allergies.

The results show that the children born in the Autumn months were three times more likely to have milk and/ or egg allergies than those born in Summer.

The result has been linked to the increase in pollen in the air, in the first critical three months in the womb. It is readily acknowledged that increased pollen can prompt the development of Immmunoglobulin E antibodies. These antibodies are linked to the presence of food allergies in people.

To confirm this finding, more study will be required.

The article can be found - Pyrhonen et al. Journal of Epidermiology and Community Health 2010 Vol 59(4) DOI:10:1136/jech.2009.105411