MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS IN CHILDHOOD - REPORT OF 16 CASES

Sixteen children with definite multiple sclerosis (MS; aged 6-17 years , mean 11.4 +/- 2.7; 8 boys, 8 girls) were reviewed. Cerebellar sympto ms and signs were frequent at initial presentation. Among laboratory s tudies, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG index or oligoclonal bands w ere informative in 75%, evoked potentials in 70%, electroencephalograp hy (EEG) in 83%, magnetic resonance imaging in 80% and computed tomogr aphy in 45%. When compared with patients with other neurological disor ders and similar presentation (non-MS group, n = 13), MS patients were more likely to recover from the first attack without significant sequ elae. CSF protein was usually normal in MS and high in non-MS patients . The CSF Ige index and/or oligoclonal bands were also helpful in diff erentiating these two groups. The absence of female preponderance, the frequency of EEG abnormalities and the lower yield from CSF analysis are particularly interesting in this childhood series. Different patho genetic mechanisms may be involved in MS from different ages, genetic backgrounds, or environments.