Pregnancy Complications and Long-Term Risk of Multiple Sclerosis in Offspring
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 9th, 2026
|
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with neurological symptoms caused by the immune attack on myelin sheath insulating neurons. It is known that adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, etc. can alter immune development. Following this logic, a study was conducted to explore the effect of abnormalities during pregnancy on the risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life.
Funding Source(s): National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Columbia University, and the Research Council of Norway, among others
The retrospective study included the health records of more than 1.1 million Norwegians who were born between 1967 and 1999. Of these individuals, 4295 cases of multiple sclerosis were detected before 2009. Statistical analysis found that the occurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, or placental abruption does not increase the risk of multiple sclerosis later in life. Birth weight plays an important role in disease hazards, with those who were born smaller than their gestational age average had a 12% lower risk, and those who were born larger than their gestational age average had a 13% increased risk. Additionally, the occurrence of gestational diabetes doubles the risk of the offspring developing multiple sclerosis later in life. The researchers hypothesized that the maternal hyperglycemia might have caused long-lasting immune reprogramming in the fetus. Additionally, children who were born larger than their gestational age average might have experienced low-grade inflammation during the childhood that might increase the risk of multiple sclerosis.
Funding Source(s): National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Columbia University, and the Research Council of Norway, among others
The retrospective study included the health records of more than 1.1 million Norwegians who were born between 1967 and 1999. Of these individuals, 4295 cases of multiple sclerosis were detected before 2009. Statistical analysis found that the occurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, or placental abruption does not increase the risk of multiple sclerosis later in life. Birth weight plays an important role in disease hazards, with those who were born smaller than their gestational age average had a 12% lower risk, and those who were born larger than their gestational age average had a 13% increased risk. Additionally, the occurrence of gestational diabetes doubles the risk of the offspring developing multiple sclerosis later in life. The researchers hypothesized that the maternal hyperglycemia might have caused long-lasting immune reprogramming in the fetus. Additionally, children who were born larger than their gestational age average might have experienced low-grade inflammation during the childhood that might increase the risk of multiple sclerosis.