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Epilepsy and intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with cerebral palsy

Vincenzo Buonaguro1, Barbara Scelsa, Domenico Curci

  • 1Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Milan, Italy.

Pediatric Neurology
|August 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment for spasticity in children did not worsen epilepsy. In fact, ITB may decrease seizure frequency in some children with cerebral origin spasticity.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a common comorbidity in children with cerebral palsy.
  • Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is an effective treatment for spasticity in children.
  • The potential impact of ITB on seizure activity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the relationship between epilepsy and intrathecal baclofen in children.
  • To determine if ITB influences seizure frequency or onset in pediatric patients with spasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical charts for 150 children with cerebral palsy or spasticity of cerebral origin who received ITB.
  • Inclusion of a control group of 100 children with cerebral palsy who underwent different surgical procedures.
  • Analysis of pre- and post-ITB seizure frequency and new-onset seizures.

Main Results:

  • 40% of children receiving ITB had pre-existing epilepsy.
  • 13.3% of children experienced a decrease in seizure frequency after ITB.
  • A small number of children showed seizure worsening or new-onset seizures, but overall, ITB did not appear to aggravate seizure activity.

Conclusions:

  • Intrathecal baclofen does not seem to aggravate or induce seizure activity in children with spasticity of cerebral origin.
  • ITB may have a neutral or potentially beneficial effect on seizure control in this population.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex relationship between ITB and epilepsy in pediatric spasticity.

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