European researchers have published a new analysis
of the characteristics of pediatric-onset MS, based on the experiences
of 394 people with MS onset at age 16 or younger. This analysis made
use of the records in a large-scale natural history database (EDMUS --
European Database for Multiple Sclerosis) and confirms results from
earlier, smaller studies. For instance, this study confirmed that when
MS occurs in childhood or adolescence, it takes longer to reach certain
disability milestones or convert to secondary progressive disease.
However, these events occur at a younger age when compared to
adult-onset MS. Perhaps this means that youth is protective against
lasting damage to a certain extent, but that this protection eventually
Another finding was that the female:male ratio is higher in
childhood-onset MS than in adult-onset MS (2.8 vs. 1.8). There were
also differences in the type of symptoms experienced by the two onset
groups, which you can read about by clicking on the link above.