Physical characteristics and upper-limb treatment with botulinum neurotoxin A in children with cerebral palsy: A population-based study.

Aim: To describe the use of upper-limb botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) treatment in a population-based sample of children with cerebral palsy (CP), by investigating whether factors may be related to a first upper-limb BoNT-A treatment and whether passive range of motion (ROM) is related to a first BoNT-A treatment after adjustment for confounders.

Method: Data from five regions in Sweden, in the national registry and follow-up programme for CP (CPUP), were collected for children with spastic or dyskinetic CP assessed between 2000 and 2017. CP subtypes, functional classification levels, and traffic-light-based passive ROM categories were investigated. Data were analysed with logistic regression (odds ratios).

Results: Of a total of 496 children (317 males, 179 females; median 2 years, interquartile range 1-5 years, range 1-15 years at first measurement occasion), 22% (n = 108) had received upper-limb BoNT-A treatment, 45% of whom by 1 to 3 years of age. Those classified in Manual Ability Classification System levels IV and V showed the highest crude odds ratio for a first upper-limb BoNT-A treatment. Children with full passive ROM with tightness at the end of the movement range were most likely to receive an upper-limb BoNT-A treatment, also after adjustment for confounders. Thumb and forearm muscles were the most targeted at the first upper-limb BoNT-A treatment.

Interpretation: Full passive ROM with tightness at the end of the movement range increases the likelihood of a first upper-limb BoNT-A treatment. This new traffic-light category is an aspect to consider in the dialogue about upper-limb BoNT-A.

What This Paper Adds: Among children receiving upper-limb botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A), 45% had their first treatment before the age of 4 years. Thumb and forearm muscles were the most treated with BoNT-A, finger flexor muscles the least. Full passive range of motion with tightness was related to first upper-limb BoNT-A treatment.