Primary progressive multiple sclerosis presenting under the age of 18 years: Fact or fiction?

Abstract

Previous cohort studies on paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) have reported very low frequencies for a primary progressive MS (PPMS) course ranging from 0% to 7%. We identified six patients presenting prior to the age of 18 years and fulfilling the 2017 McDonald Criteria for PPMS. Presentation with progressive neurological symptoms and signs in young people should prompt evaluation for genetic causes such as leukodystrophies, hereditary spastic paraparesis and mitochondrial diseases given the rarity of primary progressive course in paediatric MS. In the absence of an alternative diagnosis, with new therapeutic options becoming available for PPMS, this diagnosis should then be considered.