Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder that affects discrete areas of the CNS, including the optic nerves, in a quite variable relapsing-remitting fashion over a prolonged period of time. Although MS is usually considered to be a disease that affects peoples in early to middle adulthood, children do develop multiple sclerosis. The frequency of MS onset before the age of 15 years is 2.7-5% of all cases, while MS onset during infancy and early childhood was observed to be 0.2- 0.7% of all cases. We report here on a Korean case of a relapsing-remitting MS female child who was treated with four rounds of intravenous methylpredinsolone pulse therapy and preventive Interferon-beta-1b (Betaferon(R)).
Child ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Interferons* ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Optic Nerve ; Interferon beta-1b

Here we report a case of pediatric multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b. Interferon beta is widely used in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its effects and safety in pediatric patients have not been well established. Although supporting data are limited, the use of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) such as interferon beta-1b is recommended early in treatment of children with MS. Reports of interferon beta treatment in pediatric MS patients in Korea are rare. In this report, we describe a Korean girl who was effectively treated with interferon beta-1b for three years. There were no relapses or serious side effects. Therefore, this report provides evidence supporting the use of interferon beta in pediatric MS patients in Korea and other Asian countries. We also reviewed current medical treatment of MS, including some DMTs and second-line treatment options such as natalizumab and cyclophosphamide, and several new oral agents such as fingolimod.
Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Cyclophosphamide ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; Interferons ; Korea ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Propylene Glycols ; Recurrence ; Sphingosine ; Fingolimod Hydrochloride ; Interferon beta-1b ; Natalizumab