Efficacy and safety of serial injections of botulinum toxin A in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
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.
Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China, yajienet@yahoo.com.cn.
Ya-Jie
YJ
Wang
Bao-Qin
BQ
Gao
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A