Recent Advances in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Dear Colleagues,

In 2–5% of patients with multiple sclerosis, the first clinical symptoms manifest before the age of 18. Although patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) have a longer interval until they reach irreversible disability, this occurs at a younger age than in patients with adult-onset disease. In addition, patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis show a higher inflammatory activity with a 2-3-fold increased frequency of relapses compared to patients with adult-onset multiple sclerosis. In contrast to the widely used hesitant treatment approach with the start of injectable therapies and step-wise escalation, recent studies suggest that applying newer disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) as initial treatment improves disease control. A wide range of DMTs are available for adult use; however, in the pediatric population, only three DMTs (fingolimod, teriflunomide, and dimethyl fumarate) are currently approved for treatment. Observational studies suggest similar effects and side effects in pediatric and adult-onset cohorts; therefore, off-label use of other DMTs is widely applied.

This Special Issue aims to gather scientific evidence relating to new advances in POMS with special focus on new treatment regimens, advances in diagnostic tools, neuropsychological aspects, and follow-up.

We welcome all researchers to take part in this effort and share their experience and novel and ongoing research through this Special Issue.

Dr. Markus Breu
Dr. Christian Lechner
Guest Editors

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• multiple sclerosis
• pediatric
• POMS
• inflammation
• demyelination
• pediatric neurology