Weight and height gain after intrathecal baclofen pump implantation in children with spastic tetraparesis’

Bottanelli, Mara; Rubini, Gabriella; Venturelli, Valerio; Cosentino, Alessandro; Rossato, Gianluca; Vicentini, Silvana; Romito, Silvia; Rizzuto, Nicole; Bertolasi, Laura

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.2004.tb01002.x

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Eight were fully tube-feed dependent, and in seven of these patients, calorie intake values pre-and 6 months postimplant were recorded; this allowed us to demonstrate that, in general, patients experienced a weight gain at a constant calorie intake that was greater than that expected due to development. In agreement with previous studies, we conclude that there is a high probability that this weight gain is related to the improvement in comfort resulting from a decrease in spasticity [3,8,10]. An increase in comfort means that patients spend less energy in their involuntary muscle contractions, enabling them to gain some weight.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…2 More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved. 3 Considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult. 4 Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Recent publications describe that ITB treatment leads to weight and height gain in children with spastic tetraparesis [3,8,10]. The results of a retrospective study by Bottanelli et al (2004) suggest that ITB could present an important extra advantage by decreasing caloric expenditure due to a decrease in spasticity, allowing normal linear growth to be achieved [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Opisthotonus and intrathecal treatment with baclofen (ITB) in children

Ceulemans

Rhijn²,

Kenis

et al. 2007

Eur J Pediatr

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Opisthotonus is a relatively rare, but challenging neurological symptom of spasticity or dystonia that most often results from a dramatic event such as near-drowning. The classic treatment option for opisthotonus is the oral administration of medication such as benzodiazepines and baclofen. However, results with these medications are usually not very beneficial. Numerous studies however have shown that intrathecal treatment with baclofen (ITB) is an efficient and safe treatment for generalized therapy-resistant spasticity, even in children. In this retrospective study, we describe 11 children (mean age 9 years) with pronounced opisthotonus and quadriplegia caused by different types of acquired lesions who were treated with intrathecal baclofen. Results show that in addition to an expected decrease in muscle tonus, there was also a clear improvement in patient comfort and nursing. A remarkable weight gain was observed in most patients, even when calorie intake did not change. This increase in weight might be due to a reduction in energy expenditure as a result of the decrease in spasticity. Intrathecal treatment with baclofen should be considered in every child with opisthotonus.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%