Usefulness of diagnostic criteria of tuberous sclerosis complex in pediatric patients.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1998 Consensus Conference clinical criteria represent an important advance in the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex. Since many findings regarded as highly specific for tuberous sclerosis complex are not apparent until late childhood or adulthood, refinements by age may prove of value. We have stratified 106 children into five age groups (0 to 2 years of age, above 2 to 5 years, above 5 to 9 years, above 9 to 14 years, and above 14 to 18 years). Physicians should be alerted as to the frequency of the criteria in different stages of children.