MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

MOST acute and chronic diseases found in young adults, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, the allergies, undulant fever, meningoencephalitis, diabetes, nephritis, leukemia and Hodgkin's disease, are also found in common proportions in children. With the exception of syphilis of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis is the most common primary disease of the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that is found in its classic forms, very commonly in young adults, just beyond the threshold of adolescence, yet it is rather uncommon in children. Many writers, Nobel,¹ Schupfer,² Bergen,³ Wechsler,⁴ Wilson,⁵ Adie,⁶ von Hoesslin⁷ and Ford,⁸ have spoken of its occurrence. The literature reveals a large number of cases, many of which are inadequately described. Only a few were followed for a period of years. A number of statistical studies have appeared since the turn of the century. Wechsler's⁴ study