Clinical and Evolutional Characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis with Childhood Onset
Abstract
Paediatric forms of multiple sclerosis are considered rare, representing 5% of all cases. The diagnosis is difficult and raises specific problems regarding the differentiation from other inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, more common in children and teenagers, especially the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Paediatric forms have some peculiarities concerning clinical features, progression and prognosis of the disease, when compared to adult-onset forms of multiple sclerosis. There is a higher female preponderance. Paediatric forms cause a significant level of disability at a younger age, although disability progression is slower than in adult forms. Also, the progression to a secondary progressive form is delayed and there is a more frequent polysymptomatic onset and a higher frequency of complete remission after the first relapse, when compared to adult forms. Nevertheless, affected ages are younger. In addition, associated cognitive deficits may affect psycho- social and academic performance of patients undergoing training. A prompt diagnosis is necessary in order to initiate a therapy as early as possible, taking into account the particular clinical profile of these forms.
Paediatric Forms Of Multiple Sclerosis Are Considered Rare, Representing 5% Of All Cases. The Diagnosis Is Difficult And Raises Specific Problems Regarding The Differentiation From Other Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases Of The Central Nervous System, More Common In Children And Teenagers, Especially The Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. Paediatric Forms Have Some Peculiarities Concerning Clinical Features, Progression And Prognosis Of The Disease, When Compared To Adult-onset Forms Of Multiple Sclerosis. There Is A Higher Female Preponderance. Paediatric Forms Cause A Significant Level Of Disability At A Younger Age, Although Disability Progression Is Slower Than In Adult Forms. Also, The Progression To A Secondary Progressive Form Is Delayed And There Is A More Frequent Polysymptomatic Onset And A Higher Frequency Of Complete Remission After The First Relapse, When Compared To Adult Forms. Nevertheless, Affected Ages Are Younger. In Addition, Associated Cognitive Deficits May Affect Psycho- Social And Academic Performance Of Patients Undergoing Training. A Prompt Diagnosis Is Necessary In Order To Initiate A Therapy As Early As Possible, Taking Into Account The Particular Clinical Profile Of These Forms.