Botulinum Toxins and Children’s Health

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Toxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 3433

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
Interests: functional urology; neuro-urology; QoL; uro-oncology

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Guest Editor
Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
Interests: pediatric urology and surgery; stem cells
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since 1989, when botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) was licensed for the treatment of strabismus, its use in medicine has become largely widespread, with an increasing range of indications and the addition of new formulations. However, there are still several controversies about the appropriate uses and dosing of this neurotoxin in the pediatric population. Based on a review of the current literature and original papers, the goal of this Special Issue is to provide an update concerning all possible indications (urological, neurological, and any related modalities of administration of BoNT in the pediatric population).

A list of areas/topics of interest include but are not limited to

- Neurourology;
- Urodynamics;
- Pediatric Urology and Surgery;
- Neurology and Neurophysiology;
- Ophtalmology;
- Colonproctology;
- Histology;
- Pharmacology;
- Dentistry;
- Pain;
- Rehabilitation.

Dr. Maria Angela Cerruto
Dr. Luca Giacomello
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • pediatrics
  • children
  • botulinum
  • neurotoxin
  • neuro-urology
  • neurogenic bladder
  • detrusor dyssynergia
  • cerebral palsy
  • limb spasticity
  • strabismus
  • torticollis
  • dystonia
  • sialorrhea
  • brachial plexus
  • pain
  • anismus
  • anal fissure
  • constipation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Adherence to Onabotulinum Toxin-A Intradetrusor Injections for Neurogenic Dysfunction in Children—A Retrospective Single-Center Evaluation
by Chiara Pellegrino, Valentina Forlini, Maria Luisa Capitanucci, Gessica Della Bella and Giovanni Mosiello
Toxins 2024, 16(7), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16070303 - 1 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Onabotulinum Toxin-A (BTX-A) is a second-line treatment for neurogenic bladder (NB). It requires repeated injections over time, which is a possible limit for long-term adherence, especially in children, as general anesthesia is required. Almost 50% of adults discontinue therapy; few data on pediatric [...] Read more.
Onabotulinum Toxin-A (BTX-A) is a second-line treatment for neurogenic bladder (NB). It requires repeated injections over time, which is a possible limit for long-term adherence, especially in children, as general anesthesia is required. Almost 50% of adults discontinue therapy; few data on pediatric patients are present. The aim of this study is to share our long-term experience of BTX-A adherence in children. This study is a retrospective review of 230 refractory NB patients treated with BTX-A. The inclusion criteria were ≥3 treatments and the first injection performed ≥10 years before the study endpoint. Fifty-four patients were included. Mean follow-up was 10.2 years; mean treatment number was 6.4 for each patient. During follow-up, 7% did not need BTX-A anymore; 76% discontinued therapy, with a prevalence of acquired NB (64% acquired vs. 34% congenital; p = 0.03); sex-based and urodynamic findings did not influence the discontinuation rate (p = 0.6, p = 0.2, respectively). Considering those who withdrew from the therapy, 43% were lost to follow-up/died after a mean of 7.5 years (although 33% still experienced clinical efficacy); 33% changed therapy after a mean of 5.8 years (with reduced efficacy in 22%, persistent efficacy in 11%). BTX-A is a safe and effective therapy for pediatric patients. The treatment abandonment rate is higher for children than for adults; no specific reasons were highlighted. It is necessary to evaluate any age-specific factors to explain these data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botulinum Toxins and Children’s Health)
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Review

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18 pages, 895 KiB  
Review
Understanding Clinical Effectiveness and Safety Implications of Botulinum Toxin in Children: A Narrative Review of the Literature
by Salvatore Crisafulli, Francesco Ciccimarra, Zakir Khan, Francesco Maccarrone and Gianluca Trifirò
Toxins 2024, 16(7), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16070306 - 4 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Since its first approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1989 for strabismus, botulinum toxin indications of use have been widely expanded. Due to its anticholinergic properties, this toxin is currently approved in adult patients for the treatment of a wide range [...] Read more.
Since its first approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1989 for strabismus, botulinum toxin indications of use have been widely expanded. Due to its anticholinergic properties, this toxin is currently approved in adult patients for the treatment of a wide range of neuromuscular, otolaryngologic, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and urologic disorders. Approved pediatric indications of use include the treatment of blepharospasm associated with dystonia, strabismus, lower-limb spasticity, focal spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy, and neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Alongside these approved indications, botulinum toxin is extensively used off-label. Although several clinical studies have shown that botulinum toxin is effective and well-tolerated in children, uncertainties persist regarding its long-term effects on growth and appropriate dosing in this population. As such, further research is needed to better define the botulinum toxin risk–benefit profile and expand approved uses in pediatrics. This narrative review aimed to provide a broad overview of the evidence concerning the clinical effectiveness and safety of BoNT with respect to its principal authorized and non-authorized pediatric therapeutic indications, as well as to describe perspectives on its future use in children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botulinum Toxins and Children’s Health)
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