Intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with cerebral palsy: efficacy and complications

OBJECTIVES: To describe the efficacy of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in the management of spasticity in young children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify risk factors for complications. DESIGN: Consecutive case series of 25 implanted ITB delivery systems during a 48-month period. SETTING: Pediatric specialty hospital and outpatient department. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three children (age range, 4.5-17.4y) with CP (spastic diplegia in 22%; spastic quadriplegia in 61%; mixed-type diplegia in 4%; mixed-type quadriplegia in 13%). INTERVENTION: Intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with cerebral palsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ashworth Scale scores before treatment and at 6 and 12 months after ITB therapy; frequency and nature of complications; and relation between patient characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: Average Ashworth scores +/- standard deviation decreased from 3.26+/-.73 to 2.34+/-.83 (P