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Efficacy and safety of serial injections of botulinum toxin A in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Ya-Jie Wang, Bao-Qin Gao
Beijing, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China (Wang YJ, Gao BQ)
Corresponding Author: Ya-Jie Wang, Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China (Tel: +86-10-67096620; Email: yajienet@yahoo.com.cn)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0442-0
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¡À2.70), 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 side-effects of serial injections of BTX-A are mild and self-limited.
Key words: botulinum toxin A; cerebral palsy; children; spasticity
World J Pediatr 2013;9(4):342-345
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