Having parents who smoked increases risk of pediatric MS: Study

Limiting children’s exposure to cigarette smoke may reduce chances of onset

Written by Marisa Wexler, MS | February 26, 2026

Having parents who have ever smoked cigarettes, or who smoked in the three months before pregnancy, is associated with a significantly increased likelihood of childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small study in Italy.

The findings suggest that early-life exposure to cigarette smoke, including around the time of conception, may influence a child’s risk of developing MS.

“Limiting children’s exposure to cigarette smoke may contribute to reducing the risk of MS onset. Promoting smoke-free environments therefore represents a potential avenue for primary prevention in susceptible pediatric populations,” researchers wrote.

The study, “Reducing Early-Life Smoke Exposure as a Preventive Strategy for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Results from the PEDIGREE Study,” was published in Neurology and Therapy. 

Research shows people who smoke are more likely to develop MS

MS is a neurological disorder that usually manifests in early adulthood. However, in rare cases, it can develop in childhood or adolescence — this is known as pediatric-onset MS.

The causes of MS remain incompletely understood, but several risk factors have been identified. A large body of research has consistently shown that people who smoke cigarettes or are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop MS.

While emerging evidence seems to suggest that exposure to cigarette smoke also increases the risk of developing MS in childhood or adolescence, this is less well established.

To explore whether children exposed to parental smoking — even if they never smoked themselves — face a higher risk of the disease later on, a team led by scientists in Italy analyzed data from 114 children with MS and 121 children without the disease enrolled in the PEDIGREE study.

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