Multiple sclerosis (MS) in children

Multiple sclerosis (MS) most often occurs in adults, but doctors are more likely to diagnose the disease in children and adolescents. Neurologists believe that there are probably many more children with MS who have not been diagnosed.

How is MS different in children?

The first signs of the disease in children are different. It can start after a child has a nerve disorder called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. In most cases, the symptoms of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, including headaches, confusion, coma, seizures, neck stiffness, fever, and severe fatigue, disappear after a few weeks. But some children will still have problems similar to MS.

MS in children may progress more slowly than in adults. But people who had the disease in childhood or adolescence may have physical disabilities at an earlier age. The illness can also lead to more serious problems with thinking and emotions in children and adolescents, and can affect their school performance, self-esteem, and peer relationships.

Symptoms of MS in children

Symptoms are similar to those in adults and may include:

Problems with bladder or bowel control
Weakness
Problems with walking
Vision changes
Muscle spasms
Sensory changes, tingling, or numbness
Tremors

Children may also have seizures and a complete lack of energy, which adults with this condition usually do not have.

Treatment of MS in children

There is no cure, but many treatments can improve the lives of children with this condition. Treatment of MS in people of all ages has three main goals: treating attacks, preventing future attacks, and relieving symptoms.

Treatment of attacks of MS in children

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the brain and spinal cord during seizures. The main one is methylprednisolone (Solu-medrol), which is administered intravenously once a day for 3–5 days. Doctors sometimes give corticosteroid pills called prednisone for a short time after the medication is given intravenously.

While corticosteroids are well tolerated by most children, they cause side effects in some children, including mood and behavior changes, increased blood pressure and blood sugar, and upset stomach. Doctors can treat these problems if they occur.

If corticosteroids alone are not enough, your doctor may discuss other treatments with you, including intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis.

Prevent attacks of MS

Corticosteroids may relieve attacks, but they do not prevent them. For this, doctors prescribe other types of drugs. These drugs reduce the number of seizures and prevent the condition from getting worse quickly.

Medicines for MS have not been approved for people under the age of 18. But doctors use some of them to treat children with the disease, but at a different dose than adults.

Medications for children with MS include:

Interferon beta-1a
Interferon beta-1b
Glatiramer acetate

Your child will receive these medicines by injection either into a muscle or under the skin. The doctor or nurse can work with you on how to make it easier for your child. Teenagers can kick each other.

Scientists have not done as much research on how these drugs affect children than adults. But the results of small studies have shown that they work well and are safe for children.

Doctors can also treat certain symptoms associated with MS, such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and depression.

Like any medicine, they can cause side effects. The most common symptoms of interferons are flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches and headaches that begin shortly after injection. Your child's doctor can reduce side effects by giving the medicine at a low dose at first and increasing it gradually. There are other medications available to relieve some of the side effects.

The most common side effect of Copaxone is redness and swelling at the injection site. Cold compresses can help with these problems.

Treating the symptoms of MS

Symptoms such as fatigue, numbness or tingling, muscle stiffness, and depression may not completely disappear after an attack. But there are many treatments available for them, including physical and occupational therapy, counseling, and medication.

Also, not all of the symptoms your child may experience are related to the disease. Children with MS suffer from the same diseases as other children. Fever or infections can aggravate the symptoms of MS for a while, but they usually go away when the temperature goes down or the infection is under control.