Takeaway
In a Dutch pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort, gut microbiota composition and predicted functional features do not significantly differ between patients with pediatric-onset MS, monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (mADS), and healthy controls.
Why this matters
There has been increasing interest in the role of the gut–brain axis and gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of MS. Pediatric-onset MS provides a unique opportunity to study the etiology of MS with minimal confounding factors.
This sheds light on the complex role of the gut microbiota in MS which still requires further investigation. BMI and its probable link to gut microbiota and MS is a potential treatment target.