Childhood adversity in parents of patients with pediatric multiple sclerosis

Kimberly A. O'Neill, Leigh Charvet, Allan George, Michael Waltz, T. Charles Casper, Leslie Benson, Mark Gorman, Soe Mar, Jayne Ness, Teri Schreiner, Emmanuelle Waubant, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Yolanda Wheeler, Robin Ortiz, Lauren B. Krupp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Childhood environmental factors back to the prenatal environment can contribute to MS risk. Childhood adversity, which causes biological, behavioral, and epigenetic changes that can be passed down through families, has been understudied in MS. Here, we emphasize the need to understand the role that intergenerational adversity may play among families affected by MS. Objective: To evaluate the frequency and types of adverse childhood experiences among parents of children with MS. Methods: Individuals with pediatric MS (n = 68) were enrolled in a longitudinal study of cognition. At enrollment, the patient and one caregiver or parent completed questionnaires. As the pediatric participants were under age 18 at time of enrollment, one parent completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs, a 10-item self-report measure) about the parents’ own childhood. Results from the ACE questionnaire among parents of pediatric healthy controls (n = 96) and adults in a national cohort are also reported for comparison. Results: Over half of pediatric MS parents reported at least one ACE exposure. Of parents that did have ACE exposures, the exposures were broad in terms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Over 10 % of parents reported total ACE scores of 7 or above. Conclusion: Over half of pediatric MS parents experienced some degree of childhood adversity. The impact of intergenerational adversity on the development of pediatric onset MS warrants further study.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106424
JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Volume98
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2025

Keywords

  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Early onset multiple sclerosis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pediatric multiple sclerosis
  • Social determinants of health

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