Treatment of multiple sclerosis in children and adolescents

Nancy L. Kuntz, Dorothee Chabas, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Tanuja Chitnis, E. Ann Yeh, Lauren Krupp, Jayne Ness, Moses Rodriguez, Emmanuelle Waubant

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Importance of the field: Pediatric multiple sclerosis is an acquired inflammatory, demyelinating CNS disorder associated with recurrent episodes of neurologic dysfunction. Precise diagnosis is increasingly important as disease modifying therapies have been developed in adults and introduced into pediatric practice. Areas covered in this review: Literature published over the past two decades relating to pharmacologic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults and children is reviewed, with emphasis on current publications. What the reader will gain: This article reviews available research and clinical experience regarding treatment of acute episodes of CNS demyelination in children and adolescents, strategies for introduction and modification of disease-modifying therapies depending on disease course, and use of medication for symptomatic improvement in quality of life. Take home message: Pharmacotherapy for MS has been studied in adults but to a significantly lesser extent in children or adolescents. However, children and adolescents have different biology than adults in terms of drug metabolism, immune mechanisms and incomplete maturity of CNS myelin. Effectiveness as well as long-term safety needs to be studied in children and adolescents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)505-520
Number of pages16
JournalExpert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2010

Keywords

  • Disease modifying therapy
  • Glatiramer acetate
  • Interferon beta
  • Intravenous immune globulin
  • Intravenous methylprednisolone
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pediatric
  • Plasma exchange
  • Relapsing
  • Remitting multiple sclerosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology (medical)
  • Pharmacology

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