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Multiple sclerosis in children is much less common than in adults. The course of MS in the younger group of patients can be similar to that observed in the elderly, but some differences are emphasized. They may concern both the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis in children and the fact that the disease leads to disorders of their daily functioning that are specific for children.

Multiple sclerosis( SM ,sclerosis multiplex )in childrenis generally similar to the same disease in adults, but there are noticeable differences in the course of the disease in different age groups. Some of these differences can even be considered beneficial, while others are definitely negative aspects of getting MS at a young age. Among all cases of multiple sclerosis, those in which the first symptoms of the disease appear before the age of 18 of patients, according to statistics, account for up to 10% of the total number.

Multiple sclerosis in children: causes

As in the case of the pathogenesis of MS in adults, also in the case of MS in children, it has not been possible to clearly define the causes of this disease. It is noticeable that the pathology associated with multiple sclerosis is caused by a malfunction of the immune system, the cells of which begin to attack the structures of the patient's nervous system. But what exactly provokes the immune system to such abnormal reactions - medicine still does not know. Currently, theories about the causes of multiple sclerosis in children revolve around the fact that humans may have a genetic susceptibility to developing the disease. For such people, when their bodies are exposed to certain environmental factors, the risk of developing multiple sclerosis would be increased.

Many aspects of MS remain quite unclear - one of them is the fact that most cases of MS cases are observed in countries located in the northern parts of the world.

The role of genes in the pathogenesis of MS may be convinced by studies conducted on monozygotic (monozygotic) twins. It turns out that the incidence of MS in such people - who generally have the same genetic material - can reach up to 25%. Had it, howeveronly genes determined the development of multiple sclerosis, then this percentage would be much higher. This is where the ideas about the contribution of environmental factors to the pathogenesis of MS came from. Environmental factors that may potentially be involved in the occurrence of multiple sclerosis include, for example, low vitamin D levels in patients' bodies. The contribution of various infections is also taken into account, with particular attention being paid to infections with EBV. It turns out that the indicators of infection with this virus are found in many patients suffering from MS, in addition to this, it is also noticed that the proteins of the EBV virus show some similarity to certain proteins included in the structures of the human nervous system. A potential mechanism for the development of the disease in this case would be the immune system's response primarily to viral antigens, but due to the fact that human proteins are similar to them, cells of the immune system would attack their own, normal structures.

Multiple sclerosis in children: symptoms

The first symptoms of multiple sclerosis in children can be quite unusual. In some patients, the first complaints are problems suggesting acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These symptoms can be:

  • headaches
  • nausea
  • disturbance of consciousness (in the form of confusion or even coma)
  • convulsions
  • neck stiffness
  • fever

These symptoms may subside over time, however, if they were caused by childhood multiple sclerosis, this is usually not the end of the patient's he alth problems. After some time, you may experience more MS symptoms, such as:

  • visual disturbance
  • muscle weakness
  • tremors
  • muscle stiffness and muscle spasms
  • movement disorders
  • impairment of sphincter control
  • imbalance
  • deterioration of concentration and memory
  • sensory disturbance

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis in children don't last all the time, however. In this age group, almost 100% of patients have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, i.e. one in which the periods of relapses are separated by periods of remission.

Multiple sclerosis in children: diagnosis

Imaging tests as well as laboratory tests and other determinations play a role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in children. When MS is suspectedfor example, imaging of the structures of the nervous system by magnetic resonance imaging is performed, in which it is possible to visualize demyelinating foci. The analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid is useful - the deviation associated with multiple sclerosis is the increased amount of oligoclonal antibodies in the IgG class in the cerebrospinal fluid. Additional information may also be provided by other studies, such as the so-called Evoked potentials The diagnostic process in a child does not necessarily have to be directed towards multiple sclerosis. Ailments similar to those described earlier may appear, for example, as a result of a tumor of the central nervous system, infections (e.g. neuroborreliosis, CNS syphilis) or due to an autoimmune disease (e.g. lupus erythematosus). There are many other disorders in differential diagnosis that sometimes have to be ruled out before a child is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis in children: treatment

Treatment of multiple sclerosis in children is analogous to the treatment of multiple sclerosis in adults. In relapses, patients are given glucocorticoid preparations (e.g. methylprednisolone) to relieve symptoms and shorten their duration. In turn, other drugs are used to maintain the remission period of multiple sclerosis as long as possible. In this case, mainly interferon preparations and glatiramer acetate are used.

Treatment of various ailments related to multiple sclerosis is also important. The use of drugs that reduce muscle spasticity is of great importance. Systematic rehabilitation may also improve the condition of patients.

Important

Multiple sclerosis in children: prognosis

When the onset of multiple sclerosis occurs before the patient reaches the age of majority, disease progression is usually slow. However, it is noticeable that the disease may lead to disability at an earlier age than when the first symptoms of MS appear only in adulthood - this may be due to the fact that in the case of the onset of MS in childhood, the patient simply lives with the disease longer A child with MS definitely needs more attention. As a result of problems with concentration, they may experience problems at school. It is also important that in this group of children there is an increased incidence of affective disorders, an example of which is depression.

Multiple sclerosis in children

Multiple sclerosis is considered a disease that affects mainly adults and it turns out that children suffer from it more and more often. It is estimated that about 110 children in Poland suffer from this disease every year.

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Category:

Neurology