Overview

Causes

MS is thought to be caused by a problem with the body's immune system. The immune system attacks and damages the myelin. The reason why is not known.

Risk Factors

MS is more common in females. Other things that may raise a child's chance of MS are:

  • Having family members who have MS
  • Having faulty genes
  • Low levels of exposure to sunlight
  • Having low vitamin D levels
  • Obesity
  • Being around secondhand smoke
  • Exposure to Epstein-Barr virus
  • Having inflammation of the optic nerve

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

There are many types of MS. When it occurs during childhood, it usually is relapsing and remitting. This means that the symptoms reappear every few months or years, last for a few weeks or months, then go away again.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

  • Numbness or tingling in the face or limbs
  • Problems seeing, such as blurred vision, double vision, and loss of vision
  • Eye pain
  • Feeling very tired
  • Lightheadedness
  • Muscle stiffness, spasms, or weakness
  • Poor coordination
  • Problems walking or with balance
  • Weakness in 1 or more limbs
  • Bladder problems, such as urgency and loss of control
  • Bowel problems, including constipation
  • Slurred speech
  • Problems swallowing
  • Memory problems, confusion, and difficulty concentrating or solving problems
  • Seizures

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.

Blood tests may be done. If the results are not clear, the child will be referred to a doctor who treats problems of the nerves and nervous systems.

Images may be taken of the brain and spinal cord. This can be done with an MRI scan.

A lumbar puncture may also be done. It will check for signs of MS in the fluid that protects the spinal cord and brain.

Treatments

Treatment

There is no cure for MS. The goals of treatment are to:

  • Ease symptoms
  • Prevent flare-ups
  • Slow the disease

Medications

Medicines used to treat MS in children are:

  • Corticosteroids to ease inflammation and shorten flare-ups
  • Interferon beta to suppress the immune system
  • IV immunoglobulin to ease inflammation and prevent flare-ups

Plasma Exchange

Plasma exchange removes the proteins damaging the myelin from the blood. Fresh plasma is added to the blood during the procedure.

Other Treatments

A child with MS may also need to work with a:

  • Physical therapist
  • Speech/language therapist
  • Occupational therapist to help with daily living tasks
  • Psychologist or therapist to help with coping skills

Prevention

There are no guidelines to prevent MS.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.