Botulinum toxin for spasticity and athetosis in children with cerebral palsy.

Botulinum toxin A has been used therapeutically in humans for a variety of conditions since 1980. Over the past few years, it has been used more frequently for spasticity management. We describe the use of botulinum toxin for spasticity or athetosis management in three children with cerebral palsy. Two of these children had severe spasticity or athetosis that was unresponsive to other forms of treatment. The injection of botulinum toxin decreased pain and improved ease of care in these two children. Another child with left hemiparetic cerebral palsy underwent injection of botulinum toxin into upper and lower limb muscles to improve function. In this patient, the injections were combined with other forms of treatment. In this patient spasticity was decreased and function was increased temporarily. The use of botulinum toxin in general is discussed and related to these three cases.