Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), King Abdulaziz
University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Mohammed M.S. Jan, Department of Pediatrics
(Neurology), King Abdulaziz University Hospital, PO Box 80215, Jeddah 21589,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +996 2 6401000; Fax: +996 2 6403975; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare demyelinating autoimmune
disease with different risk factors and clinical features than adult onset MS.
Onset of MS is extremely uncommon in early childhood, particularly in those
less than 10 years of age. The overall prevalence of MS varies significantly
from 1–10 in 100,000 people in Japan to 248 in 100,000 in Canada. At least 5%
of all MS patients have their first attack before 16 years of age with a female
to male ratio of 1.4:1. Overall, childhood MS is being increasingly recognized.
In this paper, an updated overview of childhood MS will be presented in the
context of the available literature and our experience. Research into the
earliest events in MS pathogenesis is needed to enhance our information of this
disease. As well, understanding the triggers and initial immunologic targets
involved may lead to the development of new therapies. Prospective longitudinal
studies are required to evaluate the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial
impact of childhood MS and the long term benefit of various therapeutic
modalities.
