Successful treatment with dimethyl fumarate in a child with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Introduction: Early disease control with disease-modifying drugs is important for improving the prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral disease-modifying drug for MS in adults with relatively stable disease; however, its use in young children has not been heavily documented in the current literature. We report the case of a pediatric patient with relapsing-remitting MS who was treated with DMF.

Case report: A 3-year-old boy with a history of common cold symptoms developed unsteadiness and somnolence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple white matter lesions. Symptoms were recurrent, and DMF was prescribed at 6 years of age due to a relapse episode with oculomotor disability and facial paralysis. However, disease progression continued, and new lesions were noted at age 7; thus, the dose of DMF was increased to 240 mg/day. No relapse has been observed for over three years; sequelae or severe side effects were absent.

Conclusions: DMF may be a useful oral disease-modifying drug for preventing recurrence in young children with MS.

Keywords: Dimethyl fumarate; Multiple sclerosis; Pediatric; Relapsing-remitting.