Treatment of children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis

Expert Rev Neurother. 2005 May;5(3):391-401. doi: 10.1586/14737175.5.3.391.

Abstract

The onset of multiple sclerosis is being increasingly recognized in children and adolescents. There are now approved immunomodulatory therapies for adults with multiple sclerosis. Treatment early in the disease course appears to have a greater impact on disease outcome, an issue of particular importance for children who face decades of multiple sclerosis disease activity. This review summarizes the multiple sclerosis therapies currently available, efficacy data available from studies of these medications in adults and limited information on the use of these medications in children. Future directions in multiple sclerosis therapeutics and specific issues relating to pediatric multiple sclerosis are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon-beta