Gait Characteristics in Adolescents with Multiple Sclerosis

Publication date: Available online 22 December 2016
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Alon Kalron, Lior Frid, Shay Menascu
BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. A presentation of MS before the age of 18 has traditionally been thought to be rare. However, during the past decade, more cases have been reported.Patient DescriptionWe examined gait characteristics in 24 adolescents with MS (12 girls, 12 boys), mean disease duration was 20.4 (S.D=24.9) months and mean age 15.5 (S.D=1.1) years. The mean expanded disability status scale score was 1.7 (S.D=0.7) indicating minimal disability. Outcomes were compared to gait and the gait variability index value of healthy age-matched adolescents.ResultsAdolescents with MS walked slower with a wider base of support compared to age-matched healthy controls. Moreover, the gait variability index was lower in the MS group compared to the values in the healthy adolescents; 85.4 (S.D.=8.1) vs. 96.5 (S.D.=7.4).ConclusionWe present for the first time, gait parameters of adolescents with MS. From a clinical standpoint, our data could improve management of walking dysfunction in this relatively young population.



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