A long perspective on childhood multiple sclerosis

Twenty-eight patients, all of whom developed multiple sclerosis before 16 years of age and all from a well-defined geographical population (Grampian, north-eastern Scotland) were retrospectively studied. Age at presentation, presenting features and interval between first and second attacks are discussed. Follow-up ranged from three to 47 years and adult categorisation was applied to outcome. This suggested that on the whole, childhood-onset multiple sclerosis is a less aggressive disease than its adult counterpart.