Intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with acquired brain injuries after drowning: A case series

Abstract

Objective: To investigate clinical efficacy as well as the incidence and extent of complications regarding intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in children.

Methods: This is a retrospective medical chart review of three paediatric patients with acquired brain injuries (ABI) resulting from drowning who underwent ITB pump implantation for treatment of severe spasticity.

Results: Compared to the pre-operative state, ITB therapy reduced spasticity with a corresponding decrease of modified Ashworth scale in upper (3.2 ± 1.4 to 1.3 ± 0.6) and lower extremities (3.5 ± 0.9 to 2.0 ± 1.0). Overall, six complications, five device-related and one accidental, were found in two out of three patients.

Conclusion: Intrathecal baclofen is an effective therapy option for paediatric patients with ABI after drowning to significantly reduce spasticity of upper and lower extremities. A word of caution must be addressed to the incidence and extent of complications related to ITB therapy.

• Baclofen
• drowning
• outcome
• paediatric
• rehabilitation
• spasticity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all children and their families who participated in our programme. Additionally, Matthias Walter would like to thank Susanne Fluri, Elisabeth Klauser, Sandra Leuteritz, John Kramer and Catherine Jutzeler.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.