14800-DvRappard

62 Chapter 4 ABSTRACT Aim: To describe the course of treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) in children and young adults with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) compared to spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Method: All MLD patients in our center on ITB treatment since a minimum of six months were included (4 male, 6 female, mean age 10y 8m (range 6–24y)). Those with a predominantly spastic (SMLD; n=8) and dyskinetic (DMLD; n=2) motor impairment were compared. SMLD patients were compared with matched-control SCP patients (n=8). Treatment goals, programming mode, ITB dose, number of boluses and complications were registered at six months after baclofen pump implantation. Results: Treatment goals were mainly to improve care and sitting position and to reduce pain. At six months, pump programming mode and mean dose of ITB did not differ between groups. However, the number of boluses was significantly higher (p = 0.03) in SMLD compared to SCP. Complication rates related to baclofen pump and its catheter were similar in MLD and SCP. Interpretation: ITB treatment course in the first six months after pump implantation is mostly comparable between MLD and SCP. ITB is a feasible therapy to improve comfort and daily care in MLD patients and should therefore be considered early.