Intrathecal baclofen for progressive neurological disease in childhood: a systematic review of literature.
BACKGROUND
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is frequently used for individuals with severe, but non-progressive, spasticity refractory to oral treatment. However, experiences with ITB in patients with progressive neurological disorders of childhood causing spasticity are limited.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether ITB is an option in patients with progressive neurological disorders causing spasticity in childhood.


METHODS
A systematic literature search in Embase, Pubmed and the Cochrane Library was performed.


RESULTS
We identified six eligible studies considering patients with progressive neurological disease in childhood and receiving ITB treatment. The studies included a total of seven paediatric patients and four adult patients. Improvement was reported in spasticity, spasms, pain, gait, activities of daily life and providing care. High satisfaction is described.


CONCLUSIONS
ITB has beneficial effects in paediatric patients with progressive neurological disease. However, the level of evidence is limited due to the small number of available studies and due to the poor quality of these studies.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Laura A
LA
Bonouvrié
Petra E M
PE
van Schie
Jules G
JG
Becher
Willem J R
WJ
van Ouwerkerk
R Jeroen
RJ
Vermeulen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen