Access to Intrathecal Baclofen Treatment for Children with Cerebral Palsy in European Countries: An SCPE Survey Reveals Important Differences

Aim The aim is to study access to intrathecal baclofen (ITB) for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Europe, as an indicator of access to advanced care. Methods Surveys were sent to CP registers, clinical networks, and pump manufacturers. Enquiries were made about ITB treatment in children born in 1990 to 2005 by sex, CP type, level of gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and age at the start of treatment. Access to ITB was related to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and % GDP spent on health. Results In 2011 population-based data from Sweden, Norway, England, Portugal, Slovenia, and Denmark showed that 114 (3.4%) of 3,398 children with CP were treated with ITB, varying from 0.4 to 4.7% between centers. The majority of the children were at GMFCS levels IV-V and had bilateral spastic CP. In Sweden, dyskinetic CP was the most commonly treated subtype. Boys were more often treated with ITB than girls ( p = 0.014). ITB was reported to be available for children with CP in 25 of 43 countries. Access to ITB was associated with a higher GDP and %GDP spent on health ( p < 0.01). Updated information from 2019 showed remaining differences between countries in ITB treatment and sex difference in treated children was maintained. Conclusion There is a significant difference in access to ITB for children with CP across Europe. More boys than girls are treated. Access to ITB for children with CP is associated with GDP and percent of GDP spent on health in the country.