Epidemiology of pediatric multiple sclerosis in Austria

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune mediated disease of the central nervous system affecting more than 2.5 Million people world wide. Onset of multiple sclerosis in childhood and adolescence is rare, however approximately two to five percent of patients experience their first symptoms before the age of sixteen.

In Austria the prevalence of multiple sclerosis has been estimated to be 98.5 per 100000 inhabitants by a nationwide survey (Baumhackl et al. Neuroepidemiology 2002; 21(5):226–34). We re-analysed the data collected by questionnaire on 2414 adult MS patients with focus on patients with presumed or definite disease onset in childhood or adolescence.

104 of 2414 MS patients (4.4%) had symptoms suggestive of multiple sclerosis below the age of sixteen. In 44 patients (1.8%) MS was suspected below the age of sixteen, but in only 27 patients (1.1%) diagnosis of MS was established below the age of sixteen. In patients with symptoms suggestive of MS below the age of sixteen (n=104) the female to male ratio was 2.6: 1. Their mean age of first MS complaints was 12.8±2.8 years, the mean age of MS suspicion was 20.8±9.4 years and the mean age of diagnosis was 24.4±10.5 years.

The proportion of MS patients with presumed or definite disease onset in childhood or adolescence in Austria was found to be similar to other European countries. However, the delay between first symptoms suggestive of MS and diagnosis appears long, probably reflecting the difficulties of diagnosing a disease typically manifesting in adults in the pediatric age group.