Childhood MS – A guide for parents

This booklet was reviewed in 2010. Download the supplement for more information. 

MS is usually thought of as an adult condition, but children and teenagers can also develop the condition. There are around 100,000 people with MS in the UK and perhaps as many as five to ten per cent of young people with MS will experience the onset of MS before the age of 16 – that’s over 5,000 young people in the UK affected by MS.

Childhood MS may be under recognised, either because symptoms are mild and quickly pass, or because they are put down to other conditions that are known to be more common in children.

This booklet covers:

• what is MS and why has my child got it?
• how could my child be affected by MS?
• what are the symptoms of childhood MS?
• how is childhood MS treated?
• MS and the family
• getting help
• useful organisations

About our publications

We offer printed booklets, large print, other languages and audio versions (selected titles only). To order or for help with your questions about MS, call our Information Team on 020 8438 0799 (Monday to Friday 9am-4pm) or email infoteam@mssociety.org.uk. 

You can also order direct from this website.

Health or social care professionals and MS Society branches can order bulk copies here.