First Trimester Use of Buprenorphine or Methadone and the Risk of Congenital Malformations.

Importance: Use of buprenorphine or methadone to treat opioid use disorder is recommended in pregnancy; however, their teratogenic potential is largely unknown. Objective: To compare the risk of congenital malformations following in utero exposure to buprenorphine vs methadone. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study used health care utilization data from publicly insured Medicaid beneficiaries in the US from 2000 to 2018. A total of 13 360 pregnancies with enrollment from 90 days prior to pregnancy start through 1 month after delivery and first trimester use of buprenorphine or methadone were included and linked to infants. Data were analyzed from July to December 2022. Exposure: A pharmacy dispensing of buprenorphine or a code for administration of methadone in the first trimester. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included major malformations overall and malformations previously associated with opioids (any cardiac malformations, ventricular septal defect, secundum atrial septal defect/nonprematurity-related patent foramen ovale, neural tube defects, clubfoot, and oral clefts). Secondary outcomes included other organ system-specific malformations. Risk differences and risk ratios (RRs) were estimated comparing buprenorphine with methadone, adjusting for confounders with propensity score overlap weights. Results: The cohort included 9514 pregnancies with first-trimester buprenorphine exposure (mean [SD] maternal age, 28.4 [4.6] years) and 3846 with methadone exposure (mean [SD] maternal age, 28.8 [4.7] years). The risk of malformations overall was 50.9 (95% CI, 46.5-55.3) per 1000 pregnancies for buprenorphine and 60.6 (95% CI, 53.0-68.1) per 1000 pregnancies for methadone. After confounding adjustment, buprenorphine was associated with a lower risk of malformations compared with methadone (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.97). Risk was lower with buprenorphine for cardiac malformations (RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47-0.85), including both ventricular septal defect (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.98) and secundum atrial septal defect/nonprematurity-related patent foramen ovale (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.97), oral clefts (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.35-1.19), and clubfoot (RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.32-0.94). Results for neural tube defects were uncertain given low event counts. In secondary analyses, buprenorphine was associated with a decreased risk of central nervous system, urinary, and limb malformations but a greater risk of gastrointestinal malformations compared with methadone. These findings were consistent in sensitivity and bias analyses. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, the risk of most malformations previously associated with opioid exposure was lower in buprenorphine-exposed infants compared with methadone-exposed infants, independent of measured confounders. Malformation risk is one factor that informs the individualized patient decision regarding medications for opioid use disorder in pregnancy.

Determining the Optimal Treatment for Idiopathic Clubfoot: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Clubfoot, or congenital talipes equinovarus deformity, is a common anomaly affecting the foot in infants. However, clinical equipoise remains between different interventions, especially those based on the Ponseti method. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes of the various interventions for treating idiopathic clubfoot. METHODS: Searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL were conducted. Randomized controlled trials comparing different interventions, including the Ponseti method, accelerated Ponseti method, Ponseti method with botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection, Ponseti method with early tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT), Kite method, and surgical treatment, were included. Network meta-analyses (NMAs) were conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines. The primary outcomes were the change in total Pirani score and maximal ankle dorsiflexion. Secondary outcomes were the number of casts, time in casts, and rates of tenotomy, total complications, relapse, adverse events, and additional required major surgery. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 740 feet were included. According to the SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking curve)-based relative ranking, the Ponseti method was associated with the best outcomes in terms of Pirani score changes, maximal ankle dorsiflexion, number of casts, adverse events, and total complications, whereas the accelerated Ponseti method was associated with the best outcomes in terms of time in casts and tenotomy rate. Early TATT ranked best in terms of relapse rate. The Ponseti method with Botox injection was associated with the best outcomes in terms of the need for additional major surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The NMAs suggest that the Ponseti method is the optimal treatment overall, despite potential drawbacks such as longer time in casts and higher rates of tenotomy, relapse, and the need for additional surgery compared with other modified approaches. Therefore, clinicians should consider how treatments can be tailored individually. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Triceps Surae Muscle Characteristics in Spastic Hemiparetic Stroke Survivors Treated with Botulinum Toxin Type A: Clinical Implications from Ultrasonographic Evaluation.

Equinovarus foot is one of the most commonly spasticity related conditions in stroke survivors, leading to an impaired gait and poor functional performances. Notably, spastic muscles undergo a dynamic evolution following typical pathophysiological patterns. Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT-A) is the gold standard for focal spasticity treatment, and ultrasound (US) imaging is widely recommended to guide injections and monitor muscle evolution. The role of BoNT-A in influencing muscle fibroadipose degeneration is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) US characteristics (cross-sectional area, muscle thickness, pennation angle, and mean echo intensity) in 53 patients. MG and SOL alterations, compared to the unaffected side, depend on the spasticity only and not on the BoNT-A treatment. In functionally preserved patients (functional ambulation classification, FAC > 3; modified Ashworth scale, MAS ≤ 2), the ultrasonographic changes of MG compared to ipsilateral SOL observed in the paretic limb alone seems to be due to histological, anatomical, pathophysiological, and biomechanical differences between the two muscles. In subjects with poor walking capability and more severe spasticity, such ipsilateral difference was found in both calves. In conclusion, BoNT-A does not seem to influence muscle degeneration. Similar muscles undergo different evolution depending on the grade of walking deficit and spasticity.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Three Approaches for Botulinum Toxin Injection into Tibialis Posterior Muscle in Chronic Stroke Patients with Equinovarus Foot: An Observational Study.

Spastic equinovarus (SEV) foot deformity is commonly observed in patients with post-stroke spasticity. Tibialis posterior (TP) is a common target for botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT-A) injection, as a first-line treatment in non-fixed SEV deformity. For this deep muscle, ultrasonographic guidance is crucial to achieving maximum accuracy for the BoNT-A injection. In current clinical practice, there are three approaches to target the TP: an anterior, a posteromedial, and a posterior. To date, previous studies have failed to identify the best approach for needle insertion into TP. To explore the ultrasonographic characteristics of these approaches, we investigated affected and unaffected legs of 25 stroke patients with SEV treated with BoNT-A. We evaluated the qualitative (echo intensity) and quantitative (muscle depth, muscle thickness, overlying muscle, subcutaneous tissue, cross-sectional area) ultrasound characteristics of the three approaches for TP injection. In our sample, we observed significant differences among almost all the parameters of the three approaches, except for the safety window. Moreover, our analysis showed significant differences in cross-sectional area between treated and untreated. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach were investigated. Our findings can thus provide a suitable reference for clinical settings, especially for novice operators.

Increased Collagen Crosslinking in Stiff Clubfoot Tissue: Implications for the Improvement of Therapeutic Strategies.

Congenital clubfoot is a complex musculoskeletal deformity, in which a stiff, contracted tissue forms in the medial part of the foot. Fibrotic changes are associated with increased collagen deposition and lysyl oxidase (LOX)-mediated crosslinking, which impair collagen degradation and increase the tissue stiffness. First, we studied collagen deposition, as well as the expression of collagen and the amount of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks in the tissue of relapsed clubfoot by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We then isolated fibroblast-like cells from the contracted tissue to study the potential inhibition of these processes in vitro. We assessed the effects of a LOX inhibitor, ß-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), on the cells by a hydroxyproline assay, ELISA, and Second Harmonic Generation imaging. We also evaluated the cell-mediated contraction of extracellular matrix in 3D cell-populated collagen gels. For the first time, we have confirmed significantly increased crosslinking and excessive collagen type I deposition in the clubfoot-contracted tissue. We successfully reduced these processes in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with 10-40 µg/mL of BAPN, and we observed an increasing trend in the inhibition of the cell-mediated contraction of collagen gels. The in vitro inhibitory effects indicate that BAPN has good potential for the treatment of relapsed and resistant clubfeet.

Efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of adult lower-limb post-stroke spasticity, including pes equinovarus.

BACKGROUND: Lower-limb spasticity can impair ambulation and gait, impacting quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This ancillary analysis of the TOWER study (NCT01603459) assessed the efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA for lower-limb post-stroke spasticity including pes equinovarus. METHODS: Participants received escalating incobotulinumtoxinA doses (400-800U) across 3 injection cycles. Changes were compared for those treated in the lower limb (with/without upper-limb treatment) or the upper limb only or for participants treated or untreated for pes equinovarus. Outcome measures were those used in the seminal study: resistance to passive movement scale (REPAS), Ashworth Scale (AS), functional ambulation and lower-limb goal attainment. RESULTS: Among 132/155 (85%) participants with post-stroke spasticity, in cycles 1, 2 and 3, 99, 119 and 121 participants received lower-limb treatment with mean (SD) total limb incobotulinumtoxinA doses of 189.2 (99.2), 257.1 (115.0) and 321.3 (129.2) U, respectively. Of these, 80, 105 and 107, respectively, were treated for pes equinovarus. The mean (SD) improvement in REPAS lower-limb score was greater with treatment in the lower limb versus the upper limb only: -1.6 (2.1) versus-0.4 (1.4); -1.9 (1.9) versus -0.6 (1.6); -2.2 (2.2) versus -1.0 (0.0) (P=0.0005, P=0.0133 and P=0.3581; analysis of covariance [ANCOVA], between-group differences) in cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. For all cycles, the mean improvement in ankle joint AS score from injection to 4 weeks post-treatment was greater for participants treated versus not treated for pes equinovarus, with a significant between-group difference in cycle 1 (P=0.0099; ANCOVA). At the end of cycle 3, 42% of participants walked independently and 63% achieved 2 of 2 lower-limb treatment goals (baseline 23% and 34%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA for treatment of pes equinovarus and other patterns of lower-limb post-stroke spasticity.

Diagnostic nerve block in prediction of outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for spastic equinovarus foot after stroke: A retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of diagnostic nerve block in predicting the outcome of subsequent botulinum toxin type A treatment for spastic equinovarus foot due to chronic stroke. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. PATIENTS: Fifty chronic stroke patients with spastic equinovarus foot. METHODS: Each patient was given diagnostic tibial nerve block (lidocaine 2% perineural injection) assessment followed by botulinum toxin type A inoculation into the same muscles as had been targeted by the nerve block. All patients were evaluated before diagnostic nerve block, after the nerve block, and 4 weeks after botulinum toxin injection. Outcomes were ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion of the affected side, and calf muscle spasticity, measured with the modified Ashworth scale and the Tardieu Scale. RESULTS: Significant improvements were measured after diagnostic nerve block and botulinum toxin injection compared with the baseline condition. Diagnostic nerve block led to significantly greater improvements in all outcomes than botulinum toxin injection. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed diagnostic nerve block as a valuable screening tool in deciding whether to treat spastic equinovarus with botulinum toxin. However, the results support the evidence that diagnostic nerve block results in a greater reduction in muscle overactivity than does botulinum toxin type A in patients with spastic equinovarus due to stroke.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Versus Placebo for Idiopathic Clubfoot: A Two-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Congenital idiopathic clubfoot is a condition that affects, on average, approximately 1 in 1,000 infants. One broadly adopted method of management, described by Ponseti, is the performance of a percutaneous complete tenotomy when hindfoot stall occurs. The use of onabotulinum toxin A (BTX-A) along with the manipulation and cast protocol described by Ponseti has been previously reported. Our goal was to compare the clinical outcomes between BTX-A and placebo injections into the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle at the time of hindfoot stall in infants with idiopathic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method of manipulation and cast changes. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study with balanced randomization. RESULTS: At 6 weeks after the study injection (T1), 66% of the 32 feet in the BTX-A arm and 63% of the 30 in the placebo arm responded to the treatment (i.e., obtained ≥15° of dorsiflexion). Seven of the 11 patients in the BTX-A arm and all of the 11 in the placebo arm who had not responded at T1 responded to a rescue BTX-A injection at 12 weeks after the first injection (T2). The combined response rate at T2, which included the first-time responders as well as the patients who did not respond at T1 but did at T2, was 88% in the BTX-A arm and 100% in the placebo arm, culminating in a 94% response rate at T2. At T3 (2 years of age), 89% of the feet continued to respond and there was an 8% surgical rate. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in outcomes between the BTX-A and placebo groups when the injection was performed at the time of hindfoot stall. Overall, 92% of the clubfeet in this study responded to a manipulation and cast protocol alone, with or without BTX-A injection, by 12 weeks after hindfoot stall, or we can say that 92% of the clubfeet did not require percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening by 2 years of age. The need for tenotomy is limited to those who have not responded to treatment at this point, and the need for surgery is limited to those for whom all attempts at treatment with sequential casts, BTX-A, and percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening have failed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Functional outcomes following ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injections to reduce spastic equinovarus in adult post-stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the effect on spasticity and walking of US-guided botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections administered to improve equinovarus walking pattern commonly observed in patients after stroke. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-three patients with post-stroke spastic equinovarus deformity were recruited. The US-guided BoNT-A injections were administered into the spastic muscles (including gastrocnemius; GK, soleus; S and tibialis posterior; TP) using a specific approach, and all of the patients were enrolled in rehabilitation programmes after the injections. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Brunnstrom stage of lower limb, Functional Ambulation Score (FAS), Preferred Gait Speed (PGS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed at the baseline, 4 and 12 weeks after the BoNT-A injection. RESULTS: Significant decreases in the MAS scores of the lower limb muscle (GK, S and TP) tone were measured 4 and 12 weeks after the BoNT-A injection when compared to the baseline scores (p < 0.05). In parallel with a reduction in spasticity there was an increase in 6MWT and PGS in the 4th and 12th weeks. Increases in motor improvement and functional ambulation score were ensured in the 12th week (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spastic equinovarus deformity observed in patients after stroke creates significant limitations in the patient's functional walking speed and distance. As a result, when BoNT-A injections accompanied by ultrasound to improve equinovarus deformity considering the innervation zones of the muscles with a specific approach are administered directly into the muscle at the correct point, we can say it provides hopeful results from a functional point of view.

Early Botulinum Toxin Injections in Infants With Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review of Safety and Effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To report current evidence regarding the safety of intramuscular botulinum toxin injection (BTI) in children with orthopedic- and neurologic-related musculoskeletal disorders >2 years of age. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected studies based on predetermined inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data relating to the aim were extracted. Methodologic quality was graded independently by 2 reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the Downs and Black evaluation tool for non-RCTs. Level of evidence was determined using the modified Sackett scale. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data of 473 infants were analyzed. Fifty-five infants had cerebral palsy, 112 had obstetric brachial plexus palsy, 257 had clubfoot, and 44 had congenital torticollis. No studies reported any severe adverse event that could be attributed to the BTI. The rate of mild to moderate adverse events reported varied from 5% to 25%. Results regarding efficacy were preliminary, dependent on the pathology, and limited by the small number of studies and their low levels of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: BTI is already widely used as an early treatment for this age group. The safety profile of BTI in infants appears similar to that of older children and risks appear more related to the severity of the pathology and the location of the injections than to the toxin itself. Regarding effectiveness, other studies with higher levels of evidence should be carried out for each specific pathology.

Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Type A for equinovarus deformity in patients with CVA: A case series.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that Botulinum Toxin-A (BTX-A) reduces focal spasticity associated with equinovarus to improve gait in patients poststroke. However, there is little research examining whether gait improvements are maintained after the effectiveness period of BTX-A injections. The purpose of this observational study was to determine whether there was a difference in gait parameters in three patients before BTX-A injection versus four and ten weeks after. CASE SERIES: Three women, ages 63, 60, and 42 postischemic stroke with hemiparesis and equinovarus underwent measurements for: plantar flexor spasticity, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, temporal-spatial gait parameters, and gait endurance. All participants improved in ankle ROM. At week 10, spasticity had returned to initial measurement levels in participants A and C. Base of support and step length symmetry ratios did not improve following injections. Participants A and B, who received physical therapy during the study, showed modest gains in gait endurance and velocity. CONCLUSION: Although BTX-A injections improved spasticity, this improvement did not translate to gait outcomes. Addition of physical therapy interventions appeared to improve gait outcomes in this case series. We suggest future randomized control studies to compare effects of physical therapy alone to BTX-A combined with physical therapy on gait outcomes.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Spastic Equinovarus Foot in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Effects on Gait and Foot Pressure Distribution.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intramuscular Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection on gait and dynamic foot pressure distribution in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) with dynamic equinovarus foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five legs of 25 children with CP were investigated in this study. BoNT-A was injected into the gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis posterior (TP) muscles under the guidance of ultrasonography. The effects of the toxin were clinically assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and modified Tardieu scale (MTS), and a computerized gait analysis and dynamic foot pressure measurements using the F-scan system were also performed before injection and at 1 and 4 months after injection. RESULTS: Spasticity of the ankle plantar-flexor in both the MAS and MTS was significantly reduced at both 1 and 4 months after injection. On dynamic foot pressure measurements, the center of pressure index and coronal index, which represent the asymmetrical weight-bearing of the medial and lateral columns of the foot, significantly improved at both 1 and 4 months after injection. The dynamic foot pressure index, total contact area, contact length and hind foot contact width all increased at 1 month after injection, suggesting better heel contact. Ankle kinematic data were significantly improved at both 1 and 4 months after injection, and ankle power generation was significantly increased at 4 months after injection compared to baseline data. CONCLUSION: Using a computerized gait analysis and foot scan, this study revealed significant benefits of BoNT-A injection into the GCM and TP muscles for dynamic equinovarus foot in children with spastic CP.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Spastic Equinovarus Foot in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Effects on Gait and Foot Pressure Distribution

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intramuscular Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection on gait and dynamic foot pressure distribution in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) with dynamic equinovarus foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five legs of 25 children with CP were investigated in this study. BoNT-A was injected into the gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis posterior (TP) muscles under the guidance of ultrasonography. The effects of the toxin were clinically assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and modified Tardieu scale (MTS), and a computerized gait analysis and dynamic foot pressure measurements using the F-scan system were also performed before injection and at 1 and 4 months after injection. RESULTS: Spasticity of the ankle plantar-flexor in both the MAS and MTS was significantly reduced at both 1 and 4 months after injection. On dynamic foot pressure measurements, the center of pressure index and coronal index, which represent the asymmetrical weight-bearing of the medial and lateral columns of the foot, significantly improved at both 1 and 4 months after injection. The dynamic foot pressure index, total contact area, contact length and hind foot contact width all increased at 1 month after injection, suggesting better heel contact. Ankle kinematic data were significantly improved at both 1 and 4 months after injection, and ankle power generation was significantly increased at 4 months after injection compared to baseline data. CONCLUSION: Using a computerized gait analysis and foot scan, this study revealed significant benefits of BoNT-A injection into the GCM and TP muscles for dynamic equinovarus foot in children with spastic CP.

Botulinum toxin type-A in the management of spastic equinovarus deformity after stroke. Comparison of 2 injection techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare 2 injection techniques in the management of spastic equinovarus deformity after stroke. METHODS: Patients with stroke were seen at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan between January and December 2009. The study design involved an open label retrospective analysis of medical records of 2 groups of comparable age and onset of first stroke. Botulinum toxin was injected into the calf muscles at 2 sites in group I (12 patients) and 4 sites in group II (14 patients). Functional gain was evaluated by the time to walk 10 meters at month one, 3, and 6 compared with baseline. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in walking time in each study group. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups as measured by the 10-meter walking time. CONCLUSION: Fewer injection sites would minimize patient discomfort and possibly the production of antibodies, yielding similar therapeutic effects.

Early botulinum toxin treatment for spastic pes equinovarus--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spastic pes equinovarus is a frequent pathological posture of the lower extremity. Botulinum toxin (BoNT/A) has been successfully applied to treat lower limb spasticity. However, the best time to initiate treatment remains unclear. A beneficial effect of an early treatment has been suggested in previous studies. METHODS: A single-centre double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of BoNT/A to reduce muscle hypertonicity at the ankle. Fifty-two patients with unilateral or bilateral spastic pes equinovarus with a modified Ashworth score (mAS) of at least 1+ after stroke, traumatic brain injury or hypoxic encephalopathy were allocated to receive either BoNT/A or placebo treatment. A second, open injection was optional at week 12. Patients received unilateral or bilateral injections with 230 or 460 U onabotulinumtoxinA, respectively. The course of the mAS was explored during the open study phase. RESULTS: Patients who had received BoNT/A treatment had lower mAS compared with placebo at week 12 (P < 0.01). During the open label phase, patients from the placebo group showed further deterioration of muscle tone despite starting from a similar baseline and receiving BoNT treatment. Spastic feet that had received BoNT/A in the first cycle had comparatively lower mAS scores over all follow-up data and at week 24 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates a reduction of muscular hypertonicity in spastic pes equines with BoNT/A treatment given during the first 3 months after the lesion. Exploratory analyses of the course of muscular hypertonicity during the open phase favour earlier to later treatment.

Onabotulinumtoxin A injections: a safety review of children with clubfoot under 2 years of age at BC Children's Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric indications for Onabotulinumtoxin A extend beyond treatment of skeletal muscle conditions. Each of the indications for Onabotulinumtoxin A use have adverse events reported in the past. The aim of this study was to review dverse events in children less than 2 years of age who were treated with Onabotulinumtoxin A injections as part of equinus foot deformity, in the setting of clubfoot at British Columbia's Children Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of all clubfoot patients at British Columbia's Children Hospital, less than 2 years of age, who received a Onabotulinumtoxin A injection for equinus correction, between September 2000 and December 2012 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, clinical diagnosis, treatment history, ankle range of motion and any adverse event noted by the clubfoot team or reported by the families. RESULTS: A total of 239 eligible subjects (361 feet) had received 523 Onabotulinumtoxin A injections before the age of 2 years. There was only one adverse event reported out of the 523 Onabotulinumtoxin A injections (adverse events rate of 0.19%) given at British Columbia's Children Hospital. However, this adverse event was not found related to the Onabotulinumtoxin A injection. CONCLUSIONS: Onabotulinumtoxin A appears to be safe with respect to the adverse events, for use in children under 2 years of age with the diagnosis of clubfoot when dosed at 10 units per kilogram. However, the dose of Onabotulinumtoxin A and underlying diagnosis should always be kept in mind.

A case report of Gordon's syndrome in a 20-year-old male with free medical family history.

Gordon's syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease that manifests in childhood. It is characterized by hypertension, hyperkalemic hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, low renin and usually normal aldosterone levels, and it is sensitive to thiazide diuretics. A 20-year-old male with a history of diagnosed Gordon's syndrome was referred to a nephrology clinic for evaluation. The patient, who was under treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, had been diagnosed with Gordon's syndrome at the age of 11, when he presented hypertension and episodes of hyperkalemic hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. However, none of his relatives had been diagnosed with this syndrome. Therefore, we assume that our patient might be a case of de novo gene mutation.

[Efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of dynamic equinus and equinovarus foot deformities in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy].

The objective of the study was to assess factors modulating the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections in the correction of dynamic equinus and equinovarus foot deformities in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated in 40 children. Clinical data including spasticity assessment by the original Ashworth scale, postural and gate changes were collected. Spasticity grade 4-5 by the Ashworth scale and retraction 90-120 degrees reduce the likelihood of successful correction of equinus contracture. Botulinum injections can be used as basic therapy. In cases of transient contracture more than 120 degrees, combined methods of treatment are recommended. The hindfoot varus less 30 degrees, which can be passively corrected before treatment and in the presence of the positive Coleman block test, more likely needs injection in triceps muscle for correction. If the hindfoot varus is more than 30 degrees and the Coleman block test is negative, the combined treatment is necessary.

[Foot deformity in children with spastic forms of cerebral palsy: the treatment with botulinum toxin type A (dysport)].

The objective is to study the effect of dysport injections on the clinical and electromyographic changes in 35 patients (mean age 5,3+/-2,0 years) with spastic forms of cerebral palsy (26 with spastic diplegia, 9 with hemiparetic form) with equinus and equinovarus deformity. Depending on the clinical situation, dysport was injected in a total dose of 20-30 u per 1 kg of the body mass. Gastrocnemius muscles were injected more frequently than soleus and posterior tibial muscles. The treatment resulted in the significant reduction of spasticity on the Ashworth scale, decrease of equinus deformity, positive changes in the parameters of stepping on flat foot, independent standing and walking, the beginning of support period from the heel. During the arbitrary contraction, the amplitude of bioelectrical activity of target muscles of low extremities reduced, though not to the extent of the motor activity loss; the reciprocity coefficient decreased from 0,69+/-0,32 to 0,47+/-0,28 in patients with spastic diplegia and from 0,45+/-0,34 to 0,34+/-0,25 in patients with hemiparetic form. The effect of dysport was higher in hemiparetic form compared to spastic diplegia. The best results for spastic diplegia were revealed in patients with isolated spasticity without severe disturbances of reciprocal relations in shin muscles and pathological synkinesia.