Neurológia pre prax 2/2014

Multiple sclerosis in children

In 2–5% of patients, multiple sclerosis (MS) develops before the age of 16 years. The incidence of the paediatric form of MS is 0.3/100,000 in Germany. The aetiopathogenesis of MS involves genetic and environmental factors, previous infectious diseases, and immune system alterations. In children, the disease is rare and specific mechanisms in the immune and central nervous systems are implied that inhibit the manifestation of MS. The diagnosis of MS is established based on the clinical signs of a second attack along with MRI of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The treatment of MS in children employs the principles of that in adults. Early manifestation of the disease results in earlier disability.

Keywords: demyelinating diseases of the CNS, ADEM – acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis in children, multiple sclerosis treatment.