Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
Nationwide Incidence of Acquired Central Nervous System Demyelination in Icelandic Children
Brynjar Thor Gudbjornsson1, Ásgeir Haraldsson2, Hildur Einarsdóttir3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Insights
The annual incidence of acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis in Icelandic children is 1.15 per 100,000. Clinically isolated syndrome frequently progresses to multiple sclerosis in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Early recognition of acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial for timely intervention.
- This study aimed to determine the incidence of ADS and MS in the Icelandic pediatric population using updated diagnostic criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the incidence rates of acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis in children under 18 in Iceland.
- To analyze the progression from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of all pediatric cases (<18 years) of ADS and MS in Iceland between 1990 and 2009.
- Inclusion of a minimum 5-year follow-up period for all identified patients.
- Data collection involved clinical records and radiological image review.
Main Results:
- Eighteen pediatric patients were identified, yielding an overall annual incidence of 1.15/100,000 for ADS and MS.
- The median age at diagnosis was 14.25 years; 13 patients initially presented with clinically isolated syndrome.
- A high rate of progression from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis was observed, with no significant gender difference.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis in Icelandic children is 1.15/100,000 annually.
- A significant risk of progression from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis exists in pediatric patients.
- No female predominance was noted in the studied Icelandic pediatric cohort.
Introduction:
Recognizing acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis is important to commence early treatment. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis among the entire Icelandic pediatric population according to recently promoted criteria.
Patients And Methods:
The study included all children in Iceland (<18 years) with acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis from 1990 to 2009 with a minimum of 5-year follow-up. Clinical data were gathered and radiological images reviewed. The cohort included all patients with acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis in the Icelandic pediatric population.
Results:
Eighteen patients with acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis were included, the total annual incidence being 1.15/100,000 (acquired demyelinating syndromes 1.02 and multiple sclerosis 0.45/100,000). The median age at diagnosis was 14.25 years (range 1.25-17.5 years). Thirteen patients were initially diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome, two had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, two had multiple sclerosis, and one had neuromyelitis optica. Seven children were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; three patients with clinically isolated syndrome developed multiple sclerosis after the age of 18 and were not included in the multiple sclerosis group. The gender ratio was equal. Of the nine girls, seven were diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome. Most patients (11 of 18) were diagnosed during the period January through March. Oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid were exclusively found in patients with multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome and 13 of 14 available magnetic resonance images revealed clear abnormalities.
Conclusion:
The annual incidence of acquired demyelinating syndromes and multiple sclerosis in Iceland was 1.15/100,000 children. The risk of progression from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis was high. There was no female preponderance.
More Related Videos
09:46Rat Model of Widespread Cerebral Cortical Demyelination Induced by an Intracerebral Injection of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
Published on: September 21, 2021
08:17Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Pathway Linking Obesity to Autoimmune Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 23, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction