title: Botulinum toxin type A injections in the spastic upper extremity of children with hemiplegia: child characteristics that predict a positive outcome.
abstract: Evidence is increasing to suggest that botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) plays a role in the management of upper extremity spasticity in the paediatric population. However, little information is available on the clinical characteristics of the child that predict a response to this intervention. Our research group previously published a randomized controlled trial demonstrating that BTX-A injection improves function of the upper extremity of children with spastic hemiplegia. In the present paper, we evaluate the child characteristics that predict a positive response to the BTX-A injections in the randomized treatment group. The treatment group was divided into positive functional responders and nonresponders using a cut score of a change of 10 points on the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST). A two-way analysis of variance procedure was done comparing the following baseline characteristics: function as scored on the QUEST and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) self-care domain, grip strength, upper extremity spasticity and age. Grip strength was significantly higher in responders with a P-value of 0.001. Young age approached significance with a P-value of 0.05. Correlation of change scores on the QUEST with baseline characteristics in the treatment group yielded similar results. BTX-A causes a reduction in spasticity and strength; we postulate that if the hand is weak initially, BTX-A can decrease hand function. Two case reports are presented that highlight the importance of grip strength and age.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Bloorview MacMillan Centre and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. dfehlings@bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fehlings
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glazier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A