title: [Multiple sclerosis: pathogenesis and manifestations in children].
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare in children and occurs exceptionally before ten years. Sex ratio (girl/boy) is around 2.5 to 3, higher than in adults. Brain stem dysfunction and meningeal symptoms are more commonly first manifestations of the disease than in adults. Optic neuritis is also a frequent early manifestation. The etiology of the disease remains unclear and none of the advanced hypotheses (infectious, genetic, environmental) can by themselves explain its occurrence. There is a genetic susceptibility which is probably linked to many genes leading to a low related risk (less than two). A viral trigger mechanism in a person with a genetic predisposition is possible. New therapies result from a better understanding of the closed immune mechanisms of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Unité de neuropédiatrie, centre hospitalier universitaire Pellegrin, hôpital des enfants, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, Bordeaux, France. olivier.brissaud@free.fr
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brissaud
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palin
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chateil
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pedespan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology