Pediatric multiple sclerosis and related disorders

'Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders' has just been published by the International Pediatric MS Study Group as a supplement to the journal Neurology.

The Group was founded by the National MS Society (USA) to foster global cooperation in studying and addressing the challenges associated with what is generally thought of as an adult neurological disease when it occurs in a non-adult population. It is estimated that there are at least 8,000 , 10,000 children who have MS and another 10,000-15,000 who have experienced what may be symptoms of MS.

The compendium that offers nine peer-reviewed papers describes the current state of clinical care, research and knowledge related to pediatric MS and lays out research and clinical directions for the future. Until recently, there was little attention or understanding about the occurrence of MS in children and its management.

The compendium of papers (Neurology 2007; 68 {Suppl 2} http://www.neurology.org/content/vol68/16_suppl_2/#PREFACE) includes the first proposed consensus definitions for pediatric MS and related disorders. It also reviews published research on topics such as the use of MRI brain scans in diagnosis, and the psychosocial impacts of MS including issues related to school, social milestones and family life.

In adults, MS can cause variable symptoms including fatigue, tingling sensations, and movement, vision and memory problems that can come and go or worsen. In children, these and other symptoms can have profound effects on schoolwork, relationships with peers and family dynamics , especially if the disease goes undiagnosed.

"Traditionally, pediatricians and neurologists have largely overlooked MS as a possible diagnosis in children, and caring for these children holds distinct challenges," stated Deborah Hertz, MPH, Associate Vice President of Medical Programs at the National MS Society, who co-edited the supplement. "These global efforts to standardize how we diagnose, treat and gather data on children with MS will ultimately enable us to tackle big research questions, such as what factors trigger MS," she added.

The National MS Society established the International Pediatric MS Study Group to enhance understanding of the care of children and adolescents with pediatric MS and to foster international collaborative research. Subsequent to the development of this supplement, the study group has expanded to include investigators in more than 10 countries and with additional sponsorship from the MS Societies of Canada and Italy and the MS International Federation. An adjunct to these international efforts to better address the needs of children with MS and their families is the Society's recent establishment of six U.S. Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence, where children with MS and related disorders can go for proper diagnosis and care, including support social services, family programs and information for teachers (www.nationalmssociety.org/PediatricMS).