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Tarantino S, Proietti Checchi M, Papetti L, Monte G, Ferilli MAN, Valeriani M. Parental Experiences in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Insights from Quantitative Research. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:71. [PMID: 38255384 PMCID: PMC10814813 DOI: 10.3390/children11010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and unpredictable inflammatory disease impacting the central nervous system. The disabling nature of this disease is not limited to only physical symptoms. MS, even at a pediatric age, often includes cognitive impairment, fatigue, and psychological issues, affecting education and social life, causing emotional distress, and reducing quality of life. Despite the paucity of quantitative data in the existing literature, our review demonstrates that the impact of pediatric MS extends beyond the patients themselves, affecting their parents as well. There is evidence suggesting that having a child with MS may be associated with a reduction in the parental quality of life, even in families of MS patients with low or no disability and without clinical relapses. Moreover, an increased risk of parents' mental illness has been described, particularly in mothers, leading to a heightened utilization of mental health services. Research data show that inadequate information about MS may impact parents' anxiety and their sense of competence. Since parents' involvement has been found to also play a role in their child's adherence to treatment, special attention should be paid to parental psychological health. Additional research exploring family adaptation to their children's illness is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuela Tarantino
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Martina Proietti Checchi
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Laura Papetti
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Gabriele Monte
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Michela Ada Noris Ferilli
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy (L.P.); (M.V.)
- Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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Carvalho IV, dos Santos CS, Amaral J, Ribeiro JA, Pereira C, Pais RP, Palavra F. Multiple sclerosis under the age of ten: the challenge of a rare diagnosis in a special population - a case series. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1297171. [PMID: 38174051 PMCID: PMC10761493 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1297171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating and degenerative disease of the central nervous system which, when it begins before the age of 18, is defined as paediatric MS. Most common clinical presentations include long tract involvement, brainstem/cerebellum syndromes, optic neuritis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Paediatric-onset MS typically has a more inflammatory-active course and a higher lesion burden in imaging studies, but an extensive post-relapse recovery, with a slower long-term disability progression. The first demyelinating clinical attack occurs before 10 years old in less than 1% of patients, and, in this special population, the condition has particularities in clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic assessment, current treatment options and outcome. Clinical cases We present the cases of four Caucasian children (2 girls) diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS before the age of ten, with a mean age at the time of the first relapse of 7.4 ± 2.4 years. Clinical presentation included optic neuritis, myelitis, brainstem syndrome, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Baseline MRI identified several lesions, frequently large and ill-defined. Two patients were included in clinical trials and two patients remain in clinical and imaging surveillance. Conclusion Diagnosis of MS before the age of 10 years is rare, but it has significant long-term physical and cognitive consequences, as well as a substantial impact on the current and future quality of life of the child and family. Early and correct diagnosis is essential. Prospective, randomized, large cohort studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of disease-modifying treatments in children under the age of ten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês V. Carvalho
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Constança Soares dos Santos
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Amaral
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Afonso Ribeiro
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Pereira
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Pedro Pais
- Medical Image Department – Neuroradiology Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipe Palavra
- Center for Child Development – Neuropediatrics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Mandato C, Colucci A, Lanzillo R, Staiano A, Scarpato E, Schiavo L, Operto FF, Serra MR, Di Monaco C, Napoli JS, Massa G, Vajro P. Multiple Sclerosis-Related Dietary and Nutritional Issues: An Updated Scoping Review with a Focus on Pediatrics. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1022. [PMID: 37371254 DOI: 10.3390/children10061022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lifestyle/dietetic habits play an important role in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. Here, we examine the basic pathomechanisms underlying intestinal and brain barrier modifications in MS and consider diets and dietary supplementations proposed over time to complement pharmacological therapies for improving disease outcome both in adults and in children. METHODS Scoping literature search about evidence-based findings in MS-related gut-brain axis (GBA) pathophysiology and nutritional issues at all ages. FINDINGS Data show that (1) no universal best diet exists, (2) healthy/balanced diets are, however, necessary to safeguard the adequate intake of all essential nutrients, (3) diets with high intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins that limit processed foods, sugar, and saturated fat appear beneficial for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to shape a gut microbiota that respects the gut and brain barriers, (4) obesity may trigger MS onset and/or its less favorable course, especially in pediatric-onset MS. Vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most studied supplements for reducing MS-associated inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Pending results from other and/or newer approaches targeting the GBA (e.g., pre- and probiotics, engineered probiotics, fecal-microbiota transplantation), accurate counseling in choosing adequate diet and maintaining physical activity remains recommended for MS prevention and management both in adults and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Mandato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angelo Colucci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberta Lanzillo
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Staiano
- Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Scarpato
- Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Schiavo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Nutrition Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Felicia Operto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatric Psychiatry Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Serra
- Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Monaco
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Julia Sara Napoli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Grazia Massa
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Pediatrics Section, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
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