[Protocol for tizanidine use in infantile cerebral palsy]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cerebral palsy frequently presents with spasticity, a condition often managed with oral medications like baclofen, benzodiazepines, and tizanidine.
• This study focuses on the practical application and outcomes of tizanidine in pediatric patients with generalized spasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tizanidine for managing generalized spasticity in children.
• To assess the tolerance and parental satisfaction with tizanidine treatment.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 45 children treated with tizanidine was conducted.
• Dosing regimens were tailored by age, and side effects were monitored using the Global Tolerance to Treatment Scale.
• Parental and therapist subjective assessments were used to evaluate drug tolerance.

Main Results:

• Tizanidine was administered with initial daily doses of 1 mg for ages 18 months to 7 years, 2 mg for ages 7 to 12 years, and adult-equivalent doses for older children.
• Excellent tolerance was reported in 79.3% of children, with sedation being the most common side effect.
• Subjective assessments indicated good treatment outcomes, with 92.9% of parents reporting positive experiences.

Conclusions:

• Tizanidine demonstrates superior binding affinity to brain receptors, making it highly effective for spasticity originating in the brain.
• The drug offers better tolerance and higher acceptance rates compared to other treatments.
• Tizanidine is proposed as an ideal therapeutic option for generalized spasticity in pediatric cerebral palsy.