Oligoclonal bands predict multiple sclerosis in children with optic neuritis

We retrospectively evaluated predictors of conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 357 children with isolated optic neuritis (ON) as a first demyelinating event who had a median follow-up of 4.0 years. Multiple Cox proportional-hazards regressions revealed abnormal cranial magnet resonance imaging (cMRI; HR 5.94; 95% CI: 3.39-10.39; p<0.001), presence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal IgG bands (OCB; HR 3.69; 95% CI: 2.32-5.86; p<0.001) and age (HR 1.08 per year of age; 95% CI: 1.02-1.13; p=0.003) as independent predictors of conversion while sex or laterality (uni- vs bilateral) had no influence. Combined cMRI and OCB positivity indicated a 26.84-fold higher HR for developing MS compared to double negativity (95% CI: 12.26-58.74; p<0.001). Accordingly, cerebrospinal fluid analysis may supplement cMRI to determine the risk of MS in children with isolated ON. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.