Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence
How to Decrease Your Children’s Risk for Multiple Sclerosis If You Have Multiple Sclerosis
X. Maria Xiang, MD
Based on what we know so far, MS is not an inherited disease. This means that it’s not passed down from parents to children. However, the genetic factors that contribute to MS are complex. If you have MS, your children may be more likely to develop MS later in life compared to a child whose parents do not have MS.
In general, a person’s risk of developing MS is about 1 in 750-1,000. In identical twins, if one twin has MS, then the identical twin’s risk of developing MS increases to 1 in 4, which is significantly higher than that of the general population. In first degree relatives – e.g. the children, siblings, or parents – of someone with MS, the risk of developing MS is higher than that for the general population. One study estimated this risk to be 1 in 35, which is still much lower than the risk for identical twins.
While we cannot change someone’s genetic risk for developing MS, there are several environmental factors within somebody’s control that may lower their risk for MS. These factors may be important to discuss with your children if you have MS.
Smoking
Smoking is not only linked to more severe MS and a faster decline in disability, it has also been shown to increase a person’s risk of getting MS in the first place. Avoiding smoking is one of the best things someone could do to prevent MS. The good news for current smokers with MS is that stopping smoking is also linked with slowing down disability progression.
Vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels may also play a role in increasing someone’s risk for developing MS. Sun exposure is a natural source of vitamin D, and decreased exposure to the sun may help explain why more people who live in northern regions have MS compared to people who live closer to the equator.
Some studies have shown that children born in an area with high rates of MS who then move, before age 15, to an area with low rates of MS adopt the risk of their new location. This suggests that early life environmental factors may play an important role in someone’s later life risk for developing MS. While these factors may include vitamin D levels, more studies are needed in these areas.
Obesity
Obesity in childhood and adolescence, especially in girls, is associated with increased risk of getting MS later in life. Since obesity is often preventable and treatable, it’s important to discuss this with children who may already be more likely to get MS to possibly lower their risk of getting MS.
In summary, while you may not be able to change your children’s genetic risk for getting MS, it’s important to know that avoiding smoking and obesity and getting enough vitamin D may help reduce their risk for developing multiple sclerosis later in life.
