Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center

At the Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, we provide children, teens, and their families with the education, support, and medical care they need to manage life with multiple sclerosis.

Our program is led by Dr. Lauren B. Krupp, a world-renowned expert in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and treatment. Our team provides individualized medical care and educates your child about the condition. We also provide emotional support to help your child and family manage the unique challenges of living with this disorder.

In addition to children with MS, we treat those with other associated demyelinating conditions, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disorder (MOGAD), and neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Our Pediatric MS Center is part of the United States Network of Pediatric MS Centers, a group of medical institutions devoted to researching the cause of MS in children and developing more effective therapies.

Our Pediatric MS Care Team

The care team at the Pediatric MS Center includes a neurologist with expertise in treating children with MS, pediatric neurologists, a neuropsychologist, a social worker, and nurses, all of whom specialize in caring for young people with MS. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, neuro-ophthalmology, and neuroradiology are additional available resources.

We develop a personalized approach aimed at halting the disease and alleviating symptoms, which can include fatigue, memory issues, and difficulty with balance or coordination. Our nurses ensure that you and your child understand the treatment plan. They also help manage any side effects related to medication.

We look at how MS is impacting your child’s everyday life. Because some children with MS experience cognitive challenges, our social worker or neuropsychologist works closely with your child’s school. They assure that special accommodations, such as extended time to take tests, are provided if needed. If appropriate, we connect your child with a physical therapist and occupational therapist to build physical strength and endurance, which can increase self-esteem and independence.

Our neuropsychologist helps children and teens who are dealing with depression or anxiety as well as with the typical challenges of growing up, including puberty, self-esteem, and other social and emotional issues. We also address how MS impacts the entire family and provide counseling and support.

As your child approaches adulthood, his or her care can seamlessly be transitioned to our adult center, NYU Langone’s Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center.

Research Opportunities

The team will take the time to answer your questions, but some topics—such as “Why did this happen?”—are best addressed through research. Interested families have the opportunity to participate in research studies supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Institutes of Health, and other research foundations.