Dantrolene sodium in spasticity. Long-term administration in children

This article reports on 27 children with spasticity caused by cerebral palsy and other nonprogressive neurologic conditions who received dantrolene sodium for a mean period of 16 months, with a range of 4 to 41 months; age varied from 2 to 14 years at the onset of treatment. All children showed some degree of favorable change, although statistically significant improvement could be demonstrated only in certain neurologic signs. Dosage ranged from 1 to 8.5 mg per kilogram per day. On long-term treatment, the usual daily dose was 2 to 5 mg per kilogram. Clinical side-effects were mild and transient. Laboratory examinations showed temporary abnormality of liver-function tests in six children. In an additional case, persistent abnormal test findings led to discontinuation of treatment.