Scientists are studying why some children develop multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the brain and nervous system. They’ve found that kids who get MS usually have certain genes that make them more likely to develop the disease, plus they’ve been exposed to specific environmental triggers like the Epstein-Barr virus, obesity, or secondhand smoke. Italian researchers created a large study called PEDIGREE to better understand how genes and environment work together to cause MS in children. This research is important because studying kids with MS gives clearer answers about what causes the disease since they haven’t been exposed to as many confusing factors as adults.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How genetic makeup and environmental factors work together to cause multiple sclerosis in children and teenagers
  • Who participated: 154 children with MS (average age 13.5 years) and 364 adults who developed MS before age 18, along with healthy control groups for comparison
  • Key finding: Children with MS have specific gene variants that make them vulnerable, and most have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, which appears to be necessary for MS to develop
  • What it means for you: If you have family history of MS, protecting children from secondhand smoke, maintaining healthy weight, and ensuring adequate vitamin D may help reduce risk

The Research Details

This is a review paper that summarizes existing research and describes an ongoing Italian study called PEDIGREE. The PEDIGREE study involves 29 medical centers across Italy working together to collect detailed information about children with MS. Researchers are examining participants’ DNA, studying their gut bacteria, measuring how genes are turned on and off, and asking detailed questions about environmental exposures like infections, smoking exposure, sun exposure, and breastfeeding history.

Studying children with MS gives scientists a clearer picture of what causes the disease because kids haven’t lived long enough to be exposed to many confusing factors that adults have. This makes it easier to identify the real triggers that start the disease process.

This study involves multiple medical centers and uses comprehensive testing methods including genetic analysis and detailed environmental questionnaires. However, since this is an ongoing study, final results aren’t available yet, so conclusions are based on preliminary findings and previous research.

What the Results Show

The research shows that MS in children is strongly linked to having a specific gene variant called HLA-DRB115:01. Children with MS are much more likely to carry this gene than healthy children. Interestingly, another gene variant called HLA-A02 seems to protect against MS - people with this variant are less likely to develop the disease. The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono, appears to be almost essential for MS to develop. Nearly all children with MS have been infected with this virus, making it the strongest environmental risk factor identified so far.

Other environmental factors that increase MS risk in children include being overweight, exposure to secondhand smoke, and having low vitamin D levels from limited sun exposure. The timing of these exposures during childhood appears to be particularly important for disease development.

This research confirms what scientists have suspected - that MS requires both genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. The findings in children are similar to what’s seen in adults, but the genetic associations appear to be even stronger in kids who develop MS.

The PEDIGREE study is still ongoing, so complete results aren’t available yet. Also, it’s difficult to prove that environmental factors directly cause MS rather than just being associated with it. The study focuses on Italian children, so results may not apply equally to all populations.

The Bottom Line

While you can’t change your genes, you may be able to reduce MS risk by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding secondhand smoke exposure, getting adequate vitamin D through safe sun exposure or supplements, and supporting overall immune health. These recommendations are moderately confident based on current evidence.

Families with a history of MS or autoimmune diseases should pay attention to these findings. However, parents shouldn’t panic - even with genetic risk factors, most children don’t develop MS. These findings are less relevant for families with no autoimmune disease history.

MS prevention strategies would need to be implemented during childhood and adolescence, as this appears to be when the disease process begins. Benefits of lifestyle changes for MS prevention may take years or decades to become apparent.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track vitamin D levels through regular blood tests, monitor weight and BMI, and log sun exposure minutes daily
  • Set daily outdoor time goals for safe sun exposure, create smoke-free home environments, and maintain healthy eating patterns to prevent childhood obesity
  • Long-term tracking of family autoimmune disease history, regular vitamin D testing, and monitoring of any neurological symptoms in at-risk family members

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about MS risk or symptoms, consult with a qualified healthcare provider or neurologist.