title: Intrathecal baclofen therapy: benefits and complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spasticity and dystonia in children with cerebral palsy has been treated with intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (RCH) since 1999.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of children having received or still receiving ITB during the period September 1999 until August 2005 were studied to evaluate complications and side effects. Parents answered a questionnaire focused on the health and functional impact in the children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 18 first insertions of pumps, 6 removals, and 4 reinsertions. The longest treatment was 5 years and 11 months and was still ongoing. Seventeen complications occurred in 14 out of 18 children. Despite the high complication rate and the lack of significant functional improvement, 11 out of 12 parents agreed that ITB was beneficial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ITB treatment at RCH over the years has resulted in some complications, mostly occurring shortly after pump insertion. For the majority of children there are substantial benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Helena Aniansson
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Zdolsek
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olesch
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antolovich
authors.forename: Dinah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reddihough
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen