Language
English
Publication Date
8-6-2025
Journal
Journal of Child Neurology
DOI
10.1177/08830738251360210
PMID
40767168
Abstract
Tic disorders, including Tourette syndrome, are characterized by brief, repetitive, and patterned movements or vocalizations. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) has emerged as a therapeutic option for motor tics, particularly when oral medications are insufficient or poorly tolerated. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of botulinum neurotoxin injections in 50 pediatric patients (aged 7-18 years) with motor tic disorders treated at a tertiary pediatric movement disorders clinic between May 2019 and January 2024. Botulinum neurotoxin injections were tailored to individual symptomatology. Overall, 64% of patients reported improvement in tic severity, 36% noted no change, and 6% worsened. Response did not differ significantly by tic complexity, phenomenology (clonic vs dystonic), or presence of a premonitory urge. Comorbidities such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, and intellectual disability were not predictive of outcomes. These findings support botulinum neurotoxin as a safe and potentially effective treatment for pediatric motor tics, including complex and malignant presentations.
Keywords
Tourette syndrome, pediatric, quality of life, treatment
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Edmondson, Ethan; Hull, Mariam; Aras, Sukru; et al., "Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Motor Tics in Children: A Case Series" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 5947.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/5947