Characteristics and predictors of disease course in children initially presenting with ADEM.

ADEM is an inflammatory disease, with new onset polyfocal neurologic symptoms, encephalopathy and multifocal demyelination, typically in childhood. Initial diagnosis of ADEM is challenging and up to 20 % of children with MS or NMOSD are initially diagnosed with ADEM. We describe characteristics of patients with monophasic ADEM vs.

Early Adversity and Socioeconomic Factors in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study.

Background And Objectives: Psychosocial adversity and stress, known to predispose adults to neurodegenerative and inflammatory immune disorders, are widespread among children who experience socioeconomic disadvantage, and the associated neurotoxicity and proinflammatory profile may predispose these children to multiple sclerosis (MS). We sought to determine associations of socioeconomic disadvantage and psychosocial adversity with odds of pediatric-onset MS (POMS), age at POMS onset, and POMS disease activity.

Methods: This case-control study used data collected across 17 sites in the United States by the Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study.

A new look at cognitive functioning in pediatric MS.

Objective: Cognitive involvement in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) relative to adult MS is less defined. This study advances our understanding by measuring cognitive performances in pediatric MS, adult MS, and pediatric healthy controls.

Methods: Consecutive relapsing pediatric MS participants from the United States Network of Pediatric MS Centers were compared with pediatric healthy controls and adults with relapsing MS.

Gut microbiome is associated with multiple sclerosis activity in children.

Objective: To identify features of the gut microbiome associated with multiple sclerosis activity over time.

Methods: We used 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing from stool of 55 recently diagnosed pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis patients. Microbiome features included the abundance of individual microbes and networks identified from weighted genetic correlation network analyses.