Pediatric multiple sclerosis

The onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) in childhood is being increasingly recognized. Despite this, there currently exist several barriers to the prompt diagnosis of MS in children, Many clinicians view MS as an exclusively adult-onset disease, and thus they may not entertain the diagnosis in a child. Also, the clinical and radiographic criteria for the diagnosis of MS have not been validated in a pediatric MS population. The available literature, as well as experience gained in a dedicated pediatric MS clinic, is used here to describe features of pediatric MS and contrast these with adult MS. The rationale and importance of future studies in pediatric MS is highlighted.