Childhood and Adolescent Environmental Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We aimed to provide updated evidence from the current literature regarding pediatric environmental factors associated with the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

Articles were searched in PubMed, SciVerse ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. We included all clinical studies assessing the occurrence of MS at any age in association with the exposure to any environmental risk factor during childhood or adolescence. The main outcome was the occurrence of MS. The quality assessment was performed with the critical appraisal checklist for case-control studies. Pooled unadjusted effect sizes (OR) were calculated and reported with a 95% CI from random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

The review included 87 studies conducted across 20 countries. The stud

SUBMITTER: Vitturi BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12560250 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature