Fetal growth predicts stress susceptibility independent of parental education in 161 991 adolescent Swedish male conscripts

Abstract

We selected all Swedish men born in 1973–1979 and registered in the MBR (n = 306 497). Birth characteristics recorded in MBR were linked to data on PF in the MSCR during 1990–1997. Excluded from the conscript test are men with severe physical or mental handicap (n = 43 890). In all, 161 991 young men had complete birth data and full data on PF using the same standardised methods. The study was approved by the ethical committee, University of Lund.