Dietert, Rodney R, Dietert, Janice M · Toxicology · 2008 · DOI
This review suggests that ME/CFS may originate from immune system problems that begin early in life, possibly from exposure to harmful substances, infections, or stress during pregnancy or infancy. Just as we now understand that autism and asthma can be triggered by early-life events, the authors propose that ME/CFS might also have roots in these early developmental periods, when the immune system is particularly vulnerable.
This study redirects ME/CFS research toward early developmental periods and environmental origins rather than only studying disease biomarkers in adults. Understanding potential early-life triggers could inform prevention strategies and explain why ME/CFS can present in children and why some individuals develop the condition while others do not.
This review does not provide direct evidence that specific early-life exposures cause ME/CFS in humans, as it synthesizes existing literature rather than presenting new clinical or experimental data. It does not establish causation or identify which environmental factors are actually responsible. The hypothesis remains theoretical and requires prospective epidemiological and mechanistic studies for validation.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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Primary citation
Dietert, Rodney R & Dietert, Janice M (2008). Possible role for early-life immune insult including developmental immunotoxicity in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).. Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2008.01.022
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-dietert-2008-possible-role,
author = {Dietert, Rodney R and Dietert, Janice M},
title = {Possible role for early-life immune insult including developmental immunotoxicity in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).},
journal = {Toxicology},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1016/j.tox.2008.01.022},
note = {PubMed: 18336982},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/dietert-2008-possible-role},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/dietert-2008-possible-role
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