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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 The researchers measured levels of a vitamin D biomarker in children who had had a first event.
"The biomarker of vitamin D status was significantly lower in children diagnosed with MS to date," Hanwell said. "Children diagnosed with MS had lower vitamin D levels than those not diagnosed. Another way of looking at it, as vitamin D status increased, children had a lower risk of being diagnosed."
At this point, however, Hanwell believes the findings have more research than clinical implications.
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"This type of work provides impetus for further research in this area, although, for a doctor, it would be important to look at vitamin D status in patients, particularly because 75 percent of our overall study group had vitamin D levels below what we considered to be optimal."
A second study also being presented at the World Congress found that the incidence of first demyelinating events increased by 9.2 percent for each higher degree of latitude up the eastern coast of Australia. The study was partially funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in the United States.
"There is growing evidence linking vitamin D and risk of MS," O'Looney said. "Further studies are certainly needed to see if vitamin supplementation could reduce the risk of MS. There is insufficient evidence that vitamin supplementation can influence the course of MS once it's begun."
More information
Visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for more on MS.
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