Saturated Fat and Disease Activity in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Although obesity may be a risk factor for pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS; NEJM JW Neurol Mar 2013 and Neurology 2013 Feb 5; 80:548), the impact of diet for those with established pediatric MS has been unknown. Investigators conducted a multicenter study of 219 patients who were prospectively diagnosed with MS with disease onset before age 18 and disease duration <4 years. Patients or their caregivers completed a food frequency questionnaire at enrollment.

For each 10% increase in intake of total fat, risk for relapse increased 1.6-fold. The risk for disease activity due to fat seemed to be largely due to saturated fats. Neither total caloric intake nor sugar intake was associated with relapses. Higher vegetable intake was associated with l…