Barkhof magnetic resonance imaging criteria predict early relapse in pediatric multiple sclerosis

We sought to identify clinical and radiologic features predicting early relapse after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in children. In this nationwide retrospective multicenter study in The Netherlands, we included 28 children with multiple sclerosis with onset before age 16 years. Magnetic resonance images and clinical features at the onset of disease were evaluated. The mean follow-up time was 55 months. Twenty children (71%) had a relapse during follow-up. We found that the presence of at least three of four Barkhof magnetic resonance imaging criteria at the onset of multiple sclerosis signs is predictive of early relapse after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in children (P<0.05).