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Thousands of Australian children living with cerebral palsy now have access to an additional treatment option to treat moderate to severe upper limb spasticity, following the (PBS) listing extension of Dysport ().

Cerebral palsy is Australia鈥檚 most common physical childhood disability, with spasticity , and with at least two-thirds within this group having upper limb spasticity, which involves restrictive muscle tightness; loss of muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex and balance; and difficulties with arm and hand movements.

According to paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall from Lismore, NSW, 鈥淭he new listing of Dysport in children with moderate to severe upper limb cerebral palsy spasticity adds to pharmaceutical treatment options that may help manage the often profound impacts of spasticity associated with cerebral palsy and potentially improve their quality of life.

鈥淎round one in 700 Australian children and adolescents live with cerebral palsy and are faced with daily challenges resulting from incapacitating and uncontrollable muscle spasms and limited muscle movement,鈥� Dr Ingall said.

鈥淣eurological toxin treatment alongside a program of physical therapy can offer significant improvement in muscle tone and spasticity, reducing stiffness and movement difficulties and helps increase a child鈥檚 ability to cope with daily activities such as dressing, feeding themselves or attending school.鈥�

The new Dysport PBS listing is based on a phase 3 study with children aged two to 17 years, being treated for upper limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy. The study is published in .

鈥淭his study measured the changes from baseline using established scales to assess muscle tone and spasticity for elbow or wrist flexors at week six and subsequent treatment periods,鈥� Dr Ingall said.

鈥淭he clinical management of children with cerebral palsy is complex, and particularly the use of toxins through painful injections [is] often both physically and psychologically distressing on children. Where possible, we aim to maximise the time to retreatment.鈥�

More about cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy remains under-recognised in our society and has on people with cerebral palsy and their families. Quality of life is an overarching goal for those living with cerebral palsy, along with inclusion and engagement, health and wellbeing, intervention and disability support, prevention, and effective treatments that may improve function and/or reduction of symptoms.

While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, a multidisciplinary approach is critical for those living with the disability. Generally, improves a child鈥檚 chance of overcoming development disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. Early intervention, supportive treatments, medications and surgery may help many individuals improve their muscle control.

The active component of Dysport is derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium and acts as a muscle relaxant that works on muscle spasticity by controlling the release of the chemical messenger, acetylcholine, which is found in nerve endings and is responsible for muscle contraction. Relaxing the muscle helps to .

Click for Dysport Product Information.

Image credit: 漏stock.adobe.com/au/Jaren Wicklund