J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  1998 Nov;37(6):1130-1137.

The Relation of Mood Disorder to Season of Birth

• Kim YB
• Bae A
• Kim JW
• Lee MS

Abstract

To examine the relation of mood disorder to season of birth, we analyzed the data of 156 male and female mood disorder patients who were admitted to or visited NaJu National Mental Hospital from March 1997 to June 1997. The results of this study were as follows: 1) There was a significant difference of birth season distribution in patients with mood disorder compared with that of geneal population. We suggest that birth seasonal factors have influence on onset of mood disorder. 2) High onset rate in spring was noted in patients with mood disorders. Winter-born patients had a significantly low onset rate in autumn, and autumn-born patients had a significantly low onset rate in winter. The results suggest that seasonal factors affecting onset of schizophrenia are associated with onset of mood disorder. Further studies should follow to find out concrete and objective relation of mood disorder to season of birth.

Keyword

Mood disorder; Birth season

MeSH Terms

Female
Hospitals, Psychiatric
Humans
Jeollanam-do
Male
Mood Disorders*
Parturition*
Schizophrenia
Seasons*