National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Pediatric multiple sclerosis


Other Names:
Pediatric MS; Multiple sclerosis, pediatric; MS pediatric
Categories:

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

  • The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has established a network of Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence in the United States. To learn more about these Centers, click on the link. Additionally, you can call 1-866-KIDS W MS (1-866-543-7967) or E-mail: childhoodms@nmss.org.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Pediatric multiple sclerosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
  • The National Multiple Sclerosis Society convened an International Pediatric MS Study Group in 2002 to foster opportunities for collaboration to enhance the understanding of pediatric multiple sclerosis.  To read more about this effort, click on the link.
  • The International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG) is a global network of adult and pediatric neurologists, basic scientists, clinicians, representatives of MS societies and other relevant professional organizations, whose vision is to improve worldwide healthcare, education and research in pediatric multiple sclerosis. Click on the link to learn more.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • Good Days provides help to patients with life-altering conditions. Assistance includes help with the cost of medications and travel.
  • Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN Foundation) has Assistance Programs for those with health insurance who reside in the United States. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available. 
  • The Assistance Fund provides various services, including education and financial aid, to help patients with a chronic or serious illness cover the cost of FDA-approved medications. Patients must be U.S citizens or permanent residents.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has developed an information page on pediatric multiple sclerosis for health professionals. To view the information page, click on the link.

In-Depth Information

  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Pediatric multiple sclerosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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