Maternal Pregnancy Outcomes and Offspring Risk of Adult-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Are preterm birth, being small or large for gestational age, maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, placental abruption, or maternal diabetes associated with risk of adult-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) in offspring?In this cohort study among 1 303 802 participants in Norway, being born large for gestational age and exposure to maternal diabetes were associated with a higher MS risk, while being born small for gestational age was associated with a lower MS risk. Preterm birth, placental abruption, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were not associated with MS.The findings suggest that MS susceptibility may begin as early as in the prenatal period.

Corresponding Author: Sarah E. Tom, PhD, MPH, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, Presbyterian Hospital, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (st3144@cumc.columbia.edu).

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