Could your date of birth affect the rest of your life? Several studies suggest key neural differences between babies born in the summer and winter seasons.

A 2006 study in Schizophrenia Research found that winter babies (born in winter and spring) were on average both bigger and brighter than their summer (born in summer and fall) counterparts. The study, led by Harvard University researchers, followed 21,000 children from birth; by their 7th birthdays, winter children emerged 210 grams heavier, 0.19 cm taller, and higher scoring on intelligence exercises.

That wasn’t the final word, however. In a 2010 study in Nature Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University researchers exposed newborn mice to either summer-like or winter-like light conditions. When the mice were later plunged into complete darkness, the “summer” mice kept to a daily routine while the “winter” mice struggled. Though it’s unclear how well these results translate to humans, the impact on the mice’s biological clocks suggests a link between birthdate and emotional regulation.

Could your date of birth affect the rest of your life? Several studies suggest key neural differences between babies born in the summer and winter seasons.

A 2006 study in Schizophrenia Research found that winter babies (born in winter and spring) were on average both bigger and brighter than their summer (born in summer and fall) counterparts. The study, led by Harvard University researchers, followed 21,000 children from birth; by their 7th birthdays, winter children emerged 210 grams heavier, 0.19 cm taller, and higher scoring on intelligence exercises.

That wasn’t the final word, however. In a 2010 study in Nature Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University researchers exposed newborn mice to either summer-like or winter-like light conditions. When the mice were later plunged into complete darkness, the “summer” mice kept to a daily routine while the “winter” mice struggled. Though it’s unclear how well these results translate to humans, the impact on the mice’s biological clocks suggests a link between birthdate and emotional regulation.

Could your date of birth affect the rest of your life? Several studies suggest key neural differences between babies born in the summer and winter seasons.

A 2006 study in Schizophrenia Research found that winter babies (born in winter and spring) were on average both bigger and brighter than their summer (born in summer and fall) counterparts. The study, led by Harvard University researchers, followed 21,000 children from birth; by their 7th birthdays, winter children emerged 210 grams heavier, 0.19 cm taller, and higher scoring on intelligence exercises.

That wasn’t the final word, however. In a 2010 study in Nature Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University researchers exposed newborn mice to either summer-like or winter-like light conditions. When the mice were later plunged into complete darkness, the “summer” mice kept to a daily routine while the “winter” mice struggled. Though it’s unclear how well these results translate to humans, the impact on the mice’s biological clocks suggests a link between birthdate and emotional regulation.