The Responsibility of Strong MS Treatment and Children Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) in pediatric patients is almost always relapsing, and pediatric relapse rates have shown to be greater than that of adult patients.

That, along with the day-to-day livelihood of a child, makes an early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric MS crucial, Brenda Banwell, MD, FAAP, FRCPC, said.

Banwell, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Neurology Division chief, discussed the trends of pediatric MS at the annual Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) in New Orleans this week. Banwell discussed how currently-approved treatments for MS are responsive in children patients, indicating pediatric MS may be manageable on a inflammation level if treated early.

But as clinicians continue to seek out the biological machinations of the neurological disorder — while quickly progressing the strength of treatment — Banwell advised caution to doctors treating pediatric MS.