MS Child

[affraidmom]

my 6 years old daughter neurologist said her MRI shows a 5mm spot. She request another MRI with contrast this time, she wants to see if the fluid "lays" i am so devastated that couldn't concentrate on what she was saying. She said it could be MS, but she wants to make sure. I don't know what to think. I don't have a case like that in the family and don't know anything about it. My question is: Could it be something else or she definately has MS? She experienced dizziness and blurred vision few weeks ago. Help please...

[meathead]

sorry dont know what happened above really not with it ,but thats normal for me . I just wanted to let you know like most people here i will be praying for your daughter . As quix has wrote it would be very rare at this age and her advice is always the best and she was a pediatric doctor she is truly fantastic as are many people here so please keep in touch and we will all be here for you and your daughter it is like an extended family here . I will keep you and your family in my prayers
jules

[meathead]

H

[Quixotic1]

I am so sorry for your fear.  I am a retired pediatrician with MS here unofficially on the forum.  The spot could be anything.  That it is solitary is encouraging and makes MS or related diseases a little less likely.  Her young age does not make MS impossible, but it truly is rare in children under age 10.  I believe that the statistics are less than 1% of all people with MS are this young.

Her symptoms of dizziness and blurred vision would be common presenting symptoms of childhood MS, but it could be many other things, including migraines.

There are six Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence in the United States.  As a former pediatrician myself, I would encourage her pediatric neurologist to discuss her case early with one of these specialists and have them play a role in her workup and its interpretation, but I am a big believer in bringing in the best minds early when it comes to our kids.

Center for Pediatric-Onset Demyelinating Disease at the Children's Hospital of Alabama , University of Alabama at Birmingham—Project director: Jayne Ness, MD, PhD

Pediatric MS Center of the Jacobs Neurological Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo—Project director: Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, MD

Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota—Co-project directors Nancy L. Kuntz, MD & Moses Rodriguez, MD

National Pediatric MS Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island—Project director: Lauren Krupp, MD

Partners Pediatric MS Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children in Boston—Project director: Tanuja Chitnis, MD

University of California , San Francisco Regional Pediatric MS Center—Project director Emmanuelle Waubant, MD, PhD

Here is a link discussing them.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_NEWS_news_pediatricmscenters

I hope this helps,

Quix

[pennst8r]

I want to add my prayers for your daughter, and for you. I pray that you get answers quickly and that it turns out to be something easily treated. God bless.

Penn

[Heather3418]

I cannot even imagine how terrified you must be.  

To answer your question, YES, it could be something else.  It could be many different things.  I pray that it is nothing to be concerned about.  

Of course the mother in me knows that it is impossible for you not to worry, but I have to tell you that all the worrying in the world is not going to change the outcome.  You know that you will deal with it, no matter what it turns out to be.  The most comforting thing I can offer you, is my sincere friendship when I tell you that we all will be here for you, when you find out what that "something " is.  You have my word.

Please, please, please keep us informed.  And know that you have an army of dear people standing side by side with you, in your wait for answers.

Let's ALL say a prayer.....

All of our love to you and your daughter,
Heather

[Amyloo]

Hi.  I don't have any medical info for you with regard to your daughter; just wanted to say I will pray for you and your little one.  I cannot imagine what you must be feeling.  I guess I would say stay on this board, others (maybe our retired pediatrician Quix) can give some insight. Do research on internet, but only if you can stay objective.  (easier said than done when it involves your precious one, I know.)  Love to you and your daughter, Amy