Adverse events associated with deep brain stimulation in patients with childhood-onset dystonia.

Background: Data on pediatric DBS is still limited because of small numbers in single center series and lack of systematic multi-center trials.

Objectives: We evaluate short- and long-term adverse events (AEs) of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) during childhood and adolescence.

Methods: Data collected by the German registry on pediatric DBS (GEPESTIM) were analyzed according to reversible and irreversible AEs and time of occurrence with relation to DBS-surgery: Intraoperative, perioperative (<4 weeks), postoperative (4 weeks < 6 months) and long term AEs (>6 months).