Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting the nervous system. It primarily affects the brain and the spinal cord, damaging the myelin sheath that protects the nerve cells. Over time, the disease causes damage that slows the messages transmitted between the brain and the body, leading to the symptoms associated with MS in children, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Specific to Pediatric MS
MS symptoms in children are the same as those for adults, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), with the exception of lethargy and seizures. Children may be more likely to undergo mental status changes that make them appear lethargic or act as if they are staring off into space. Children also experience seizures of the body.
Most Common Symptoms
The NMSS reports several common symptoms of MS that children share with adults. These include fatigue, vision problems, dizziness and changes in walking habits or balance. Children may report pain in multiple areas of the body, including headaches. They can also report numbness or tingling in parts of the body such as the hands or feet. The NMSS suggests children may lose control of their bladder or bowels and revert back to wetting the bed or soiling their undergarments. Children may experience trouble concentrating, completing problem-solving tasks or understanding language, reports the NMSS. The stress of the disease in children can cause depression, mood swings, uncontrollable laughing or crying and unusual perceptions of the world around them. The NMSS reports that patients with MS can experience feelings of stiffness or involuntary spasms of the muscles. The Children's Hope for Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (CHUMS) indicates that patients with MS can also experience mild memory failures.
Less Common Symptoms
Some symptoms occur at a much lower frequency than others, according to the NMSS. Children may have tremors, unusual itching, breathing changes or problems, hearing loss, trouble swallowing and speech disorders. These occur because the brain sends messages to control such functions at a delayed rate, and sometimes the messages are not received at all. The CHUMS suggests some children will suffer from partial or complete paralysis.
