Acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS)

The first attack of multiple sclerosis (MS) in childhood can appear very different from one child to another. An acute (abrupt) onset of inflammatory demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) is called acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS). The demyelination can occur in a single location (unifocal) or in more than one location (polyfocal) in the CNS.

Approximately one third of children with ADS will be diagnosed with MS, typically within 2-4 years after ADS. The diagnosis can sometimes be made immediately based on the 2010 McDonald MS criteria, or later on the basis of additional clinical or MRI evidence of relapsing disease.

The children with ADS who have the highest likelihood of MS are adolescent girls with demyelination in more than one area of the CNS.

Further information can be found in a recent article.