title: Specificities of Children with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are autoimmune conditions that, although rarely fatal, may lead to severe disability. Among these diseases, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are particularly important and subject of worldwide research. MS and NMO are chronic types of CNS disease, with recurrent episodes of demyelination. For many years, these two conditions were considered to be only one, but lately it is known that they have different epidemiological, physiopathological and prognostic characteristics. The present study aims at reviewing the specificities of MS and NMO affecting patients before they complete 18 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review on data about MS and NMO in patients below the age of 18 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are no clinical trials for any drug used to treat MS and NMO in children or adolescents. Data are mainly on anedoctal cases, case series and recommendations from experts. At present, there is no evidence-based treatment to be recommended for patients with MS and NMO before the age of 18 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite being a particularly vulnerable population for severe disability in the future, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of MS and NMO in children and adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Neuroimmunology and Rare Neurological Diseases, Santos, SP. Brazil.
authors.forename: Yara D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Central Nervous System (CNS); Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS); Demyelination; Neurodegeneration; Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Pediatric Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)