Trajectories of medication use and polypharmacy among children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have chronic exposure to polypharmacy to address several medical needs, but there is little research on the topic to inform surveillance methods and clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To identify the trajectories of medication number and pediatric polypharmacy (≥2 concurrent medications) exposure over 3.5 years among children with CP. METHODS: This cohort study used commercial claims from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018 (4-year period). Children with CP, aged 5-18 years by January 1, 2016, and with continuous health plan enrollment for all 4 years, were included and categorized as with or without co-occurring neurological/ RESULTS: Of the 1,252 children with CP, 600 were in the CP only cohort (mean [SD]; age, 11.4 [4.1] years; 46.0% female) and 652 were in the CP + NDDs cohort (age, 11.9 [4.1] years; 41.3% female; 32.7% had ≥2 of the NDDs). For the primary GBTM, 3 trajectory groups were identified for CP only: on average, no prescribed medications (69.7% of the cohort), 1 medication/month (24.8%), and 4 medications/month (5.5%). Five trajectory groups were identified for CP + NDDs: 0 (22.4%), 1 (25.6%), 2 (25.2%), 4 (18.4%), and 6 (8.4%) prescribed medications/month. For the secondary GBTM, 3 trajectory groups were identified for CP only: 80.5% were characterized as negligible probability of polypharmacy exposure, 10.8% as low probability, and 8.7% as high probability. Five trajectory groups were identified for CP + NDDs: 37.9% as negligible probability of polypharmacy exposure, 32.8% as constantly high probability, and 29.2% as changing probability (eg, increasing/decreasing). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CP are chronically exposed to differing levels of polypharmacy. Findings can help establish polypharmacy surveillance practices. Studies need to determine if polypharmaceutical strategies are balanced to optimize health and development for children with CP. DISCLOSURES: Dr Whitney is supported by the University of Michigan Office of Health Equity and Inclusion Diversity Fund. The funding source had no role in the design or conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Knowledge of neonatal brachial plexus palsy among medical professionals in North America.

PURPOSE: Early referral of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) patients to multidisciplinary clinics is critical for timely diagnosis, treatment, and improved functional outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, inadequate knowledge regarding NBPP is a reason for delayed referral. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge of North American healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of NBPP. METHODS: A 12-question survey regarding NBPP was distributed via electronic and paper formats to North American providers from various referring and treating specialties. NBPP knowledge was compared between Saudi Arabian vs. North American providers, referring vs. treating specialties, academic vs. community hospitals, and providers with self-reported confidence vs. nonconfidence in NBPP knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 273 surveys collected, 45% were from referring providers and 55% were from treating providers. Saudi Arabian and North American HCPs demonstrated similar NBPP knowledge except for potential etiologies for NBPP and surgery timing. In North America, referring and treating providers had similar overall knowledge of NBPP but lacked familiarity with its natural history. A knowledge gap existed between academic and community hospitals regarding timing of referral/initiation of physical/occupational therapy (PT/OT) and Horner's syndrome. Providers with self-reported confidence in treating NBPP had greater knowledge of types of NBPP and timing for PT/OT initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, North American providers demonstrated adequate knowledge of NBPP. However, both eastern and western physicians remain overly optimistic in believing that most infants recover spontaneously. This study revealed a unique and universal knowledge gap in NBPP diagnosis, referral, and management worldwide. Continuous efforts to increase NBPP knowledge are indicated.

An Update on the Management of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy-Replacing Old Paradigms: A Review.

Importance: Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) can result in persistent deficits for those who develop it. Advances in surgical technique have resulted in the availability of safe, reliable options for treatment. Prevailing paradigms include, "all neonatal brachial plexus palsy recovers," "wait a year to see if recovery occurs," and "don't move the arm." Practicing by these principles places these patients at a disadvantage. Thus, the importance of this review is to provide an update on the management of NBPP to replace old beliefs with new paradigms. Observations: Changes within denervated muscle begin at the moment of injury, but without reinnervation become irreversible 18 to 24 months following denervation. These time-sensitive, irreversible changes are the scientific basis for the recommendations herein for the early management of NBPP and put into question the old paradigms. Early referral has become increasingly important because improved outcomes can be achieved using new management algorithms that allow surgery to be offered to patients unlikely to recover sufficiently with conservative management. Mounting evidence supports improved outcomes for appropriately selected patients with surgical management compared with natural history. Primary nerve surgery options now include nerve graft repair and nerve transfer. Specific indications continue to be elucidated, but both techniques offer a significant chance of restoration of function. Conclusions and Relevance: Mounting data support both the safety and effectiveness of surgery for patients with persistent NBPP. Despite this support, primary nerve surgery for NBPP continues to be underused. Surgery is but one part of the multidisciplinary care of NBPP. Early referral and implementation of multidisciplinary strategies give these children the best chance of functional recovery. Primary care physicians, nerve surgeons, physiatrists, and occupational and physical therapists must partner to continue to modify current treatment paradigms to provide improved quality care to neonates and children affected by NBPP.

Long-term impact of childhood selective dorsal rhizotomy on pain, fatigue, and function: a case-control study.

AIM: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Studies suggest long-lasting effects of SDR on spasticity; long-term effects on symptoms and function are not clear. This study tested whether adults with CP (average 22y after SDR) report less pain, fatigue, and functional decline than a retrospectively assessed non-surgical comparison group. METHOD: This was a case-control study. Eighty-eight adults with CP (mean age 27y; SDR=38 male/female/missing=20/16/2; non-surgical [comparison]=50, male/female=19/31) recruited from a tertiary care center and the community completed a battery of self-reported outcome measures. Regression models were used to test whether SDR status predicted pain, fatigue, functional change, and hours of assistance (controlling for Gross Motor Function Classification System level). RESULTS: SDR status did not significantly predict pain interference (p=0.965), pain intensity (p=0.512), or fatigue (p=0.404). SDR related to lower decline in gross motor functioning (p=0.010) and approximately 6 fewer hours of daily assistance than for those in the comparison group (p=0.001). INTERPRETATION: Adults with CP who had SDR in childhood reported less gross motor decline and fewer daily assistance needs than non-surgically treated peers, suggesting the functional impact of SDR persists long after surgery.

Functional outcomes of childhood dorsal rhizotomy in adults and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

OBJECT: In this descriptive study the authors evaluated medical outcomes, interventions, satisfaction with life, and subjective impressions about selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in older adolescents and adults who had undergone the procedure as children. METHODS: A survey was administered to older adolescents (16-20 years old) and adults with CP who had undergone SDR between 1986 and 2000 at two academic centers. The patients or their caregivers participated in telephone or clinic interviews. Subjective impressions about the SDR and a history of post-SDR medical interventions were obtained. Current functional status, history and ratings of pain, educational achievement, living situation, and subjective health status were also recorded. The Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) was administered. RESULTS: Eighty-eight participants, mean age 25.6 ± 4.8 years (mean ± standard deviation), were interviewed at a mean of 19.6 ± 3.0 years after surgery. The distribution of current reported Gross Motor Function Classification System levels was as follows: I, 7%; II, 18%; III, 23%; IV, 36%; and V, 16%. Moreover, 56% of respondents were living with parents and 25% were living alone. Thirty-five percent were employed, and 39% were still in school. The mean overall SWLS score was 26.0 ± 7.3, indicating a high level of satisfaction with life. According to 65% of the patients, the SDR was helpful; 31% were uncertain about the procedure's efficacy. Sixty-five percent would recommend the procedure to others. Fifty-eight percent reported excellent to very good health. Forty-four percent reported pain in the past week. Fifty-one percent reported chronic back pain in general. Logistic regression analysis suggested that an increased satisfaction with life was a predictor (p = 0.01) of an affirmative response to the question about recommending the procedure to others and that better overall health showed a trend toward being such a predictor (p = 0.08). Additional interventions were frequently performed after the SDR. Seventy-four percent of participants underwent orthopedic surgery. Thirty-eight percent were currently taking oral medications for tone, and 53% had received botulinum toxin injections for spasticity treatment. Thirteen patients (15%) had an intrathecal baclofen pump placed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adults who had undergone SDR as children would recommend the procedure to others. Very few reported negative impressions of the procedure. Levels of satisfaction with life were generally high. Pain prevalence was similar to what has been reported in the literature for adults with cerebral palsy. Despite the SDR, further interventions, both surgical and nonsurgical, were used in the majority of patients.