Early Childhood Sun Exposure Linked to Lower Risk for Pediatric MS Relapse
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2025 -- Greater prenatal and early childhood sun exposure is associated with a lower risk for relapse among children with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation.
Gina Chang, M.D., M.P.H., from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues conducted a multicenter cohort study involving 334 children with pediatric-onset MS recruited from 18 pediatric MS clinics between Nov. 1, 2011, and July 1, 2017, to examine the correlation between time spent in the sun in early childhood and risk for relapse. Relapses were identified prospectively after enrollment; those preceding study enrollment were entered retrospectively.
The researchers found that from disease onset to the end of the follow-up period, 206 children (62 percent) experienced at least one relapse. Compared with <30 minutes, ≥30 minutes of daily sun exposure during the first summer of life was associated with a lower risk for relapse after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.67). There was also an association seen between greater time spent in the sun during the first trimester of pregnancy and a reduced risk for relapse (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.68). No significant associations were seen for ultraviolet radiation dose and time spent in the sun later in life with relapse risk.
"Our findings suggest that sun exposure in early childhood may have long-lasting benefits on the progression of childhood-onset MS," Chang said in a statement.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted February 2025
Read this next
Racialized Economic Segregation Linked to Advanced Cancer Diagnosis
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- People living in racially and economically segregated neighborhoods are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast and cervical cancer...
New Subtype of Diabetes Identified in Sub-Saharan Africans, Black Americans
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- A new diabetes subtype has been identified in Sub-Saharan Africans and Black Americans, according to a study published online July 21 in The Lancet...
Changes in Missouri Law Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Screening Rates
THURSDAY, July 31, 2025 -- Changes in Missouri law expanding breast cancer screening coverage have led to increased screening rates among Medicaid patients and an increased...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.