Efficacy and safety of serial injections of botulinum toxin A in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) has been successfully used as a treatment for children with spastic cerebral palsy; however, the effect of BTX-A on reducing spasticity only lasts a few months, thus serial injections are required. The present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serial injections of BTX-A in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

METHODS:

Fifty-two pediatric patients with spastic cerebral palsy, 2-12 years of age (mean age, 4.79 ± 2.70), were retrospectively analyzed. Muscle tone was assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale, and gait was assessed with the Physician Rating Scale. Assessments were undertaken at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after serial injections of BTX-A.

RESULTS:

The beneficial effects of BTX-A occurred 1 week after the injection, whereas the adverse side-effects appeared within 1 week and lasted <2 weeks. BTX-A significantly improved muscle tone and gait 3 and 6 months after its serial injections compared to baseline (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Serial injections of BTX-A are effective and safe for children with spastic cerebral palsy. The sideeffects of serial injections of BTX-A are mild and selflimited.

• Authors: Ya-Jie Wang, Bao-Qin Gao
• Journal: World journal of pediatrics : WJP (World J Pediatr) Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 342-5 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1867-0687 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24235067 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Neuromuscular Agents
• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Cerebral Palsy (drug therapy)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Gait Disorders, Neurologic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Muscle Spasticity (drug therapy)
• Muscle Tonus
• Neuromuscular Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Retrospective Studies