title: Primary CNS demyelinating diseases in childhood: multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We report on five children (three female and two male, age span 11-16 years) with laboratory-supported definite multiple sclerosis or clinically definite multiple sclerosis, diagnosed on the basis of Poser and Paty criteria. All patients were subjected to serial clinical examinations, magnetic resonance investigations, CSF biochemical and immunological studies, and neurophysiological and neuropsychological assessments. Four of the five examined subjects underwent steroid treatment. Over a period of 3 years relapses have been observed in three of them. The first symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis may be subtle and misleading; careful assessment of them may be crucial for an early diagnosis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iannetti
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marciani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spalice
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spanedda
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raucci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trasimeni
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gualdi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013129:Spinal Puncture
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008775:Methylprednisolone