The use of botulinum toxin type A in children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective study

The dosage and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatments in 104 c hildren with cerebral palsy were examined in a retrospective chart review o f a 2-year period at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Almost all of the BTX-A injections were to the muscles of the lower limbs. The average dose of BTX-A was 8-9 U/kg body weight and the interval between injections averaged 3-5 months. The average total amount of BTX-A injected at a singl e visit ranged from 146 to 186 U. The safety record for these treatments wa s excellent, with only 14 adverse events reported in 257 patient injection visits. The most commonly reported adverse event was muscle weakness, which is related to the pharmacology of BTX-A treatment. Eur J Neurol 6 (suppl 4 ):S11-S18 (C) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.