Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may be less likely to consume sufficient iron compared to controls, a recent study found. No other significant difference in intake of most dietary factors was found, however. Pediatric MS patients and controls were recruited from 16 US centers (MS or clinically isolated syndrome onset before age 18, <4 years from symptom onset, and at least 2 silent lesions on MRI). The validated Block Kids Food Screener questionnaire was administered from 2011–2016. In total, 312 cases and 456 controls were included (mean ages 15.1 and 14.4 years). Researchers found:

• In unadjusted analyses, there was no difference in intake of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, fruits, or vegetables.
• Dietary iron was lower in cases, and cases were more likely to consume below recommended guidelines of iron (77.2% of cases vs 62.9% of controls).
• In multivariable analysis, iron consumption below recommended guidelines was associated with MS (odds ratio = 1.80).