title: The management of multiple sclerosis in children: a European view.
abstract: About 3-5% of all patients with multiple sclerosis experience the onset of their disease under the age of 16. A significant proportion of paediatric multiple sclerosis patients develop significant cognitive disturbances and persistent physical disability. The high relapse rate and the morbidity in the paediatric multiple sclerosis population has triggered the use of disease-modifying therapies that have been shown to reduce relapse rate, disease progression and cognitive decline in adult patients with multiple sclerosis. Hard evidence for the right treatment and its appropriate timing is scarce in paediatric multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, expertise in this field has grown thanks to recent open-label trials and experience generated in specialized centres. In spring 2009, a first meeting was held in Rotterdam with clinicians from 11 European countries (one from Canada) that are all active in the management of paediatric multiple sclerosis. One of the aims was to generate a common view on the management of paediatric multiple sclerosis patients. The result of this meeting is presented here to help standardize treatment and to support clinicians with less experience in this field.
authors.affiliation: Centro Studi SM, H S. Antonio Abate, Gallarate, VA, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banwell
authors.forename: Alexey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boyko
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anlar
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blinkenberg
authors.forename: Maartje
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Sergiusz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jozwiak
authors.forename: Immy
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ketelslegers
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kornek
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindstrom
authors.forename: Congor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nadj
authors.forename: Rinze
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neuteboom
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rostasy
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tardieu
authors.forename: Evangeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wassmer
authors.forename: Coriene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catsman-Berrevoets
authors.forename: Rogier
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hintzen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a