Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Multiple Sclerosis

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States.

This prospective observational study included children and adolescents with MS. Cases were evaluated across 9 geographically diverse sites as part of the US Network of Pediatric MS Centers.

A total of 490 children and adolescents (324 girls, 166 boys) were enrolled; 28% developed symptoms before 12 years of age. The proportion of girls increased with age from 58% (<12 years) to 70% (≥12 years). Race and ethnicity as self-identified were: white, 67%; African American, 21%; and non-Hispanic, 70%. Most (94%) of the cases were born in the United States, and 39% had 1 or both foreign-born parents. Fifty-five percent of cases had a monofocal presentation; 31% had a prodrome (most frequently infectious), most often among those aged <12 years (P < .001). Children aged <12 years presented more commonly with encephalopathy and coordination problems (P < .001). Sensory symptoms were more frequently reported by older children (ie, those aged ≥12 years) (P < .001); 78% of girls had MS onset postmenarche. The initial Expanded Disability Status Scale score for the group was <3.0, and the annualized relapse rate was 0.647 for the first 2 years. Interval from symptom onset to diagnosis and from diagnosis to initiation of disease-modifying therapy was longer among those <12 years of age.

Pediatric MS in the United States is characterized by racial and ethnic diversity, a high proportion of children with foreign-born parents, and differences in clinical features and timing of treatment among those <12 years of age compared with older children.