Pediatric Neuro-Immunology & Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program

Neuroinflammatory conditions we treat

Neuroinflammatory and demyelinating disorders can affect the brain, spinal cord, optic nerves and other areas of the nervous system. Families come to UCSF for care when these disorders need focused pediatric expertise.

Our specialists care for children and teens with:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

• MOGAD

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)

• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

• Optic neuritis

• Transverse myelitis and other myelitis disorders

• Autoimmune encephalitis, central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis and other rare inflammatory neurologic conditions

What to expect from your child's evaluation

We start by learning about your child's symptoms, health history, previous tests and daily needs. Our specialists understand how neuroinflammatory disorders can appear and progress differently in children.

To help diagnose the condition, your child may need:

• Blood tests

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies

• MRI scans

• Eye exams

• Evaluations with other UCSF specialists

For children with unexplained encephalitis, we work with the UCSF Center for Encephalitis and Meningitis to offer advanced cerebrospinal fluid testing.

We explain what your child's test results mean and how they can help guide care. We also talk with your family about treatment goals, possible side effects and what to watch for over time.

Multispecialty, team-based care

Some neuroinflammatory disorders can affect different parts of the nervous system as well as other systems and organs. At UCSF, your child can access a broad network of pediatric specialists when needed. This team approach helps us address symptoms that affect vision, movement, learning, energy and daily life.

Your child's care team may include:

• Neurologists

• Neuro-ophthalmologists

• Rheumatologists and immunologists

• Hematology-oncologists

• Nurses and nurse practitioners

• Physical, occupational and rehabilitation therapists

• Neuropsychologists

• Social workers, child life specialists and research coordinators

Personalized treatment and support

Children with a neuroimmune disease require care customized to their specific needs and symptoms. Your child's care plan – including treatment type, intensity and duration – depends on the disease, affected areas, symptom severity and the risk of future relapses.

Children may need treatment at different stages and for different reasons. Your child may need treatment to:

• Control inflammation soon after diagnosis

• Reduce the risk of future relapses

• Monitor their condition

• Provide follow-up testing and support as they recover

Your child's plan may include:

• Medicines, including infusion therapy at our pediatric infusion centers across the Bay Area

• Rehabilitation therapy

• School support

• Regular follow-up visits

When appropriate, we may use specialized diagnostic or monitoring tests to clarify your child's condition and guide treatment decisions. Our specialists stay current as new therapies and evidence emerge. We help your family weigh treatment benefits, risks and timing.

Clinical trial opportunities

When clinical trials are available, we can help you understand whether your child is eligible to participate. Your family may also have opportunities to participate in other research studies aimed at better understanding these rare neuroimmune diseases. Together, these studies help advance our understanding of pediatric neuroimmune diseases and inform future approaches to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.

Planning for the teen and young adult years

Many children with MS and other neuroimmune diseases need care for years. As your child gets older, we help your family prepare for college, work, insurance changes and more independent health management.

We see new patients through age 18 and continue caring for established patients through age 21. We then coordinate the transition to UCSF's adult multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammation program.

For some young adults, the same physician can continue providing care. If your child moves away, we can also help coordinate care with an appropriate specialist.