Study Finds Drug May Increase Bone Density in Cerebral Palsy

The results of a preliminary study found that low doses of the drug pamidronate improves bone density in children with spastic cerebral palsy, reducing the risk of fractures.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center studied 23 children who had spastic cerebral palsy, a severe type of the condition that impairs movement and is characterized by stiffness in the trunk, limbs, and sometimes mouth and tongue.

The reduced mobility in many of these patients leads to significant bone loss, increasing their risk of serious fractures.

None of the children participating in the study were able to walk and they all suffered from a low level of bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and lower spine.

The patients received pamidronate—sold as Aredia in the U.S.—every four months at low doses to minimize adverse drug reactions. Each dose was gradually increased and an acetaminophen was delivered every six hours to prevent seizures or fever.

After the first year, researchers noticed a significant improvement in the level of bone mineral density of the hipbone and lower spine of the children in the study.

Furthermore, nine of the children with cerebral palsy had experienced one to five fractures before the study. During the yearlong course of treatment, only one fracture occurred and the average rate of fractures fell to 0.004 per year from 0.98.

Previous research has indicated that children with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities, who suffer from bone thinning, could benefit from pamidronate. However, studies found that children who receive adult dosages of the drug may be at risk for developing hypocalcemia or low calcium levels in the blood.

The authors of the newest study, published in the journal of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, advise that the pamidronate treatment at ideal levels should only begin after larger clinical trials are performed to ensure safety and efficacy.

If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, contact a cerebral palsy lawyer who can help you obtain the compensation your child deserves.