Children with Multiple Sclerosis and Nursing Care Approach

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and progressive disease proceeding with inflammation, demyelination, and degeneration in the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis is rarely seen in childhood, but it can occur more frequently than it is known in early childhood. Children with multiple sclerosis disease may reach disability levels at an earlier age than adults. Therefore, early diagnosis, optimal treatment, and care management of multiple sclerosis emerging in childhood are important. The goals of this treatment and care management are similar to those of adult multiple sclerosis; however, there are some specific concerns related to pediatric multiple sclerosis. The concerns related to the efficacy and safety of immuno-modulatory treatments used by pediatric multiple sclerosis patients, the continuation of the neurodevelopmental process in children, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between pediatric and adult multiple sclerosis patients, the interruption of school life of children, and anticipatory anxiety of children and their families are among the major concerns. In this traumatic and challenging process, meeting the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of children and their families is very important for disease management and for the adaptation of children to the disease. In light of this information, the aim of our review article is to give information related to multiple sclerosis disease in childhood and to explain the nursing approach to this disease.