Epilepsy and intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with cerebral palsy

Pediatr Neurol. 2005 Aug;33(2):110-3. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2005.03.002.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between epilepsy and intrathecal baclofen by investigating a consecutive sample of 150 children with cerebral palsy or spasticity of cerebral origin who underwent intrathecal baclofen. The medical charts of the 150 children were retrospectively reviewed. A series of 100 children with cerebral palsy, operated on other procedures, was reviewed as a control group. Forty percent of the 150 children had epilepsy before intrathecal baclofen pump implantation; 13.3% had a decrease in seizure frequency after intrathecal baclofen, while two children worsened and one child had seizures ex novo. We conclude that in children with spasticity of cerebral origin, intrathecal baclofen does not seem to aggravate or induce seizure activity.

MeSH terms

  • Baclofen / administration & dosage*
  • Baclofen / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Palsy / complications*
  • Cerebral Palsy / drug therapy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / chemically induced
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / administration & dosage*
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / adverse effects
  • Muscle Spasticity / complications
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Baclofen