The use of botulinum toxin type A in children with cerebral palsy: A retrospective study

The dosage and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatments in 104 children with cerebral palsy were examined in a retrospective chart review of a 2-year period at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Almost all of the BTX-A injections were to the muscles of the lower limbs. The average dose of BTX-A was 8-9 U/kg body weight and the interval between injections averaged 3-5 months. The average total amount of BTX-A injected at a single visit ranged from 146 to 186 U. The safety record for these treatments was excellent, with only 14 adverse events reported in 257 patient injection visits. The most commonly reported adverse event was muscle weakness, which is related to the pharmacology of BTX-A treatment.