Benefit of enteral baclofen in the management of spasticity in cerebral palsy.

Abstract

Spasticity is a movement disorder that is commonly associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and can be managed by various treatment options. It can be increased or worsened by any noxious stimulus like infection, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tight clothes, and growth spurts. Indications to treat spasticity include decreasing muscle spasms, improving posture, improving mobility, decreasing pain, improving use and tolerability of adequate braces, decreasing risk of pressure ulcers, preventing or decreasing the rate of contracture formation, and improving quality of life [1]. There are several pharmacologic treatment options used to treat spasticity which include chemodenervation with botulinum toxin injections; chemoneurolysis with phenol or alcohol; oral medications like diazepam, baclofen, tizanidine, and dantrolene; and intrathecal baclofen (ITB) [1]. Baclofen has been