USE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BOTULINUM TOXIN IN MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Botulinum toxin is an important element in the therapeutic arsenal used in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy. Blocking the neuromuscular plate allows spasticity removal in the involved muscle groups and facilitates the physical-therapy treatment. The paper highlights the main therapeutic indications of the botulinum toxin and its adverse reactions in treating children with spastic cerebral palsy. The adverse effects of the toxin, both local and general, are not linked to the orthopaedic use, occurring regardless of the pathology. Even though adverse effects are scarce they must be known in order to prevent additional and costly treatments. A study on 1872 patients was conducted over a period of 12 years. Effects of botulinum toxin were assessed at the first, second and third use. For each patient no more than three doses were used. The use of botulinum toxin is very effective in treating spastic cerebral palsy in children if the injection criterion is respected along with the technical principles. Adverse effects are minimal and do not pose the problem of applying additional therapies.