Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Use of trihexyphenidyl in children with cerebral palsy
Jorge Carranza-del Rio1, Nancy J Clegg, Alison Moore
1Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Insights
Trihexyphenidyl effectively treats dystonia and sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy. Most patients tolerated the medication well, experiencing significant symptom improvements with gradual dose increases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Movement Disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) often involves dystonia and sialorrhea, impacting quality of life.
- Limited evidence exists on effective pharmacological treatments for these symptoms in pediatric CP populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the benefits and tolerability of trihexyphenidyl for treating dystonia and/or sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
- To assess treatment outcomes and side effects in a pediatric tertiary care setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 101 children with cerebral palsy treated with trihexyphenidyl.
- Analysis of patient demographics, dosage, treatment duration, reported benefits, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- 91% of patients tolerated trihexyphenidyl well, with a mean treatment duration of over 3 years.
- Significant improvements were reported in upper/lower extremity dystonia (59.4%/37.6%), sialorrhea (60.4%), and speech (24.7%).
- Side effects occurred in 69% of subjects, primarily in older children and early in treatment.
Conclusions:
- Trihexyphenidyl is a well-tolerated and effective medication for managing dystonia and sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
- Gradual dose escalation appears to improve tolerability and treatment adherence.
Abstract:
A paucity of information exists regarding medications to treat dystonia in children with cerebral palsy. This study sought to review the benefits and tolerability of trihexyphenidyl in children with cerebral palsy, treated for dystonia or sialorrhea or both in a pediatric tertiary care hospital, through a retrospective chart review. In total, 101 patients (61 boys and 40 girls) were evaluated. The mean age at drug initiation was 7 years and 10 months (range, 1-18 years). The mean initial dose was 0.095 mg/kg/day. The dose was increased by 10-20% no sooner than every 2 weeks. The mean maximum dose reached was 0.55 mg/kg/day. Ninety-three patients (91%) tolerated the medication well, with a mean duration of treatment of 3 years and 7 months. Side effects occurred in 69% of subjects, the majority in patients aged ≥7 years, and soon after treatment initiation. Sixty-four percent continued the treatment at study end. Ninety-seven patients reported benefits, including reduction of dystonia in upper (59.4%) and lower (37.6%) extremities, sialorrhea (60.4%), and speech issues (24.7%). The majority of patients tolerated trihexyphenidyl well on a schedule of gradual dose increases, and almost all demonstrated improvements in dystonia or sialorrhea or both.
More Related Videos
05:04Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations
Published on: February 2, 2024
08:26Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:21Huntington Disease l: Introduction