Cerebral palsy children botox
Botox – Cerebral palsy spasms
Botox in cosmetic and medical procedures linked with 16 deaths US federal regulators investigating along with a series of other cases needing hospital treatment.
Botox was originally developed in the 1980s to treat muscle disorders. Cosmetic treatments were introduced from 1987 and since then the drug has become hugely popular, especially among women.
It is made from botulinum toxin - a poison produced by the bacteria that cause botulism– a severe form of food posioning. In small quantities, botox is used to reduce wrinkles by interupting nerve impulses to muscles in the face. In larger more potent quantities, it treats muscular conditions such as spasms of the neck and eyelids.
Treatment of children with cerebral palsy – unregistered use of drug
America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the most serious cases had been during the treatment of children with cerebral palsy suffering from arm and leg muscle spasms – an unregistered use of the drug. The children subsequently developed symptoms of botulism including breathing difficulties, numbness and difficulty swallowing. They required feeding tubes and artificial breathing support, and sadly several died.
FDA reviewing safety data of Botox
A spokesperson for the administration said the “FDA is currently reviewing safety data from clinical studies submitted by the manufacturers of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc, as well as post-marketing adverse event reports and the medical literature,” The FDA said it was not restricting the use of Botox but urged doctors who administered the drug to be aware of the risks and to be alert to warning signs.
Health professionals in Britain made aware
A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that health professionals in Britain had been made aware of the risks last year adding that the reports of deaths were very rare.
One in 400 children in Britain has cerebral palsy. Richard Parnell, of the disability support group SCOPE, said that thousands of patients in Britain had been treated with Botox. He was not aware of any deaths but said that SCOPE would be examining the claims closely.
Lucy Norton, a lawyer in Boyes Turner’s specialist birth injury team says: “Botox is far more famous for its cosmetic usage rather than the medical help it can provide. We have seen it help some of our cerebral palsy clients in dealing with muscle spasms but this report is worrying. We look forward to the outcome of the FDA's investigation.”
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a
non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the
accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems
we recommend that professional advice be sought.
SEE ALSO
Our people
Our cases
Making a claim
