MS in children and teenagers is uncommon. Only 3 to 5 percent of people with MS are diagnosed before the age of 16.
- Is it different than adult MS? Children almost always have relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). They tend to have multiple symptoms when they are diagnosed. Children have more frequent flares during the first few years. However, they also recover from them and go into remission more quickly than people diagnosed as
- Why do children get MS? The causes of MS are not well understood but are likely to be the same for adults and children. A combination of genetic susceptibility and a number of environmental triggers are generally thought to increase the risk of developing the
- What are its symptoms? Most symptoms of MS in children are the same as in Physical symptoms usually progress more slowly in children but higher levels of disability are generally reached sooner (because they start at a younger age). Mood disorders occur frequently in children with MS. The most common one is depression.
- The challenge of diagnosis MS is challenging to diagnose in children for a number of reasons. Many other childhood disorders have symptoms that are similar to MS, making it difficult to diagnose in this age group. Doctors may not be looking for it because it is so rare, and diagnostic tests may not be as accurate in children. There also may not be much evidence of MS if the evaluation is done when a child is in remission.
- What can kids take for MS? Gilenya (fingolimod) was recently approved for the treatment of RRMS in children and adolescents 10 years of age or Other disease modifying treatments are used in children at lower doses even though they have not been FDA approved for this purpose.
