Study: High Weight at Birth May Increase Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk

Babies who were heavier at birth may have a tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis later in life, according to a study in the May 17th issue of the British Medical Journal.

Researchers in Sweden identified 77 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and compared them to 308 healthy participants.

Using birth records, they collected information such as birth weight, mother's age, length of hospital stay after delivery, start of breast feeding during the hospital stay and father's occupation.

The researchers found that high birth weight of 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) or more was positively associated with rheumatoid arthritis, but low birth weight was not.

Other sources: British Medical Journal BMJ 2003;326:1068-106