Neuropediatrics 2016; 47 - P05-08
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1583673

Sex-Related Differences in T2 Lesion Load in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Patients

H.-M. Hummel 1, P. Huppke 1, J. Würfel 2, W. Stark 1, D. Ellenberger 3, T. Friede 3, J. Gärtner 1
  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Germany
  • 2Department of Medical Statistics, University of Göttingen, Germany
  • 3Institute of Neuroradiology, University Medicine Göttingen, Germany

Background/Purpose: A preponderance of females affected by relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis is well reviewed. Several studies have shown an equal sex distribution before puberty. So far no studies have been performed exploring possible differences in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presentation of multiple sclerosis in boys and girls. Our purpose was to study sex- and age-related differences in pediatric relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis before and after puberty.

Methods: Single-center retrospective study on T2 lesion load on cranial MRIs performed within the first 6 months after disease manifestation in 178 children with definite multiple sclerosis from the Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Childhood and Adolescence at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany.

Results: In general, boys have a higher lesion load; this result is significant (p = 0.018). No significant differences in lesion distribution between the sex and age groups were seen. Sex distribution in the whole cohort was 3:1 while the distribution in the pre-pubertal group was almost even.

Conclusion: In a large cohort of 178 pediatric multiple sclerosis patients, the even sex distribution before puberty and increase of affected females during puberty was confirmed. While no differences were seen regarding lesion distribution between the sex and age groups a significantly higher lesion load was seen in boys when compared with girls. Whether this group of affected boys shows a poorer clinical outcome has to be further investigated.