Safety and one-year efficacy of intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with intractable spastic cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies that address both efficacy and safety of continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen (CITB) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), and that use outcome measures beyond muscle tone are lacking. AIMS: To study the efficacy at 12 months and safety up to 24 months after start of CITB in children with intractable spastic CP. METHODS: Nine girls and eight boys, aged 13.7 years (SD 2.9), received a SynchroMed pump for CITB. We prospectively recorded effects and adverse events at regular follow-up visits up to 24 months. Outcome measures included the 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS) for individual problems, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and health related quality of life as measured with the Child Health Questionnaire-PF50. RESULTS: CITB for 12 months significantly improved the VAS for individual problems with 4.7 (SD 2.0; p=0.000), VAS for ease of care with 5.2 (SD 2.1; p=0.000), VAS for pain with 5.4 (SD 2.7; p=0.002); GMFM sitting dimension with 3.3 (range -4.0 to 22.0; p=0.022), GMFM goal dimension with 4.0 (range 0.0-26.0; p=0.007); and Child Health Questionnaire-PF50 domains of bodily pain/discomfort with 25.6 (SD 35.9; p=0.016) and mental health with 9.8 (SD 11.3; p=0.007). During a mean follow-up of 18.4 months (range 12-24), we recorded 80 adverse events. Eight adverse events were serious, but not life-threatening. CONCLUSIONS: CITB was effective at 12 months and safe up to 24 months for carefully selected children with intractable spastic CP. CITB relieved pain, facilitated ease of care and improved mental health. The majority of children could extend their activities and participation.