肉毒桿菌或能用於緩解兒童和青少年的偏頭痛大綱
Botox injections best known to iron out wrinkles and crow's feet could help relieve migraine headaches in children and teenagers, a new study found. The attacks were not only shorter after the injections but the pain was less severe, scientist found.
一項新研究發現，以消除皺紋和魚尾紋聞名的肉毒桿菌或有助於緩解兒童和青少年的偏頭痛。科學家發現，注射肉毒桿菌之後，偏頭痛的持續時間不僅更短，而且疼痛程度也有所減輕。Currently Botox can be prescribed on the NHS for adults chronic migraine suffering headaches on 15 or more days each month. Now a new US study found injections of botulinum toxin may provide significant relief to children and teenagers which traditional treatments have failed.
目前，英國國家醫療服務體系可以開肉毒桿菌處方藥，開給那些受慢性偏頭痛折磨、頭痛時間長達每月15天及以上的成年人。現在，美國一項新研究發現注射肉毒桿菌毒素可能會大大緩解兒童和青少年的偏頭痛，而這是傳統治療方法未能實現的。One in seven Britons are estimated to suffer from migraines and it affects three-times as many women as men. About 4% of boys and girls in pre pubertal age suffer from migraine but as they get older there is a predominance among girls.
據估計，七分之一的英國人患有偏頭痛，而受偏頭痛影響的女性是男性的三倍。青春期前，大約4%的男生和女生受偏頭痛的折磨，但隨着年齡的增長，女性患偏頭痛的人數明顯增多。
Like the US, Botox is only approved to treat adults but it is estimated a tenth of school-aged children and teens suffer from migraines. The study included nine children and teens aged eight to 17 who suffered from migraines from eight to 29.5 days per month.
和美國一樣，英國只允許用肉毒桿菌治療成年人，但據估計，十分之一的學齡兒童和青少年都患有偏頭痛。該研究包括9名8至17歲的兒童和青少年，他們每個月受偏頭痛影響的天數從8天到29.5天不等。Most had tried numerous medications and other therapies without much relief. All received Botox injections in the front and back of the head and neck every 12 weeks and were evaluated over a five-year period. After treatment, the patients experienced migraines two to 10 days per month. When they did have an attack, their headaches didn't last as long.
大多數孩子都嘗試了各種各樣的藥物和其它治療方法，但卻沒有多大用處。研究人員每12周對所有的孩子進行肉毒桿菌注射（在頭部前後以及頸部注射），連續5年如此。治療後，患者每個月偏頭痛次數降至2-10天。雖然還是會偏頭痛，但持續時間卻沒那麼久了。Lead author Assistant Clinical Professor Dr Shalini Shah at the University of California said: "When children and teens have migraine pain, it can severely affect their lives and ability to function.
首席作者加利福尼亞大學的臨牀助理教授沙利尼·沙阿博士說道："當兒童和青少年患有偏頭痛時，他們的生活和功能能力會受到嚴重影響。""They miss school, their grades suffer and they are left behind, often unable to reach their full potential. Clearly there is a need for an alternative treatment for those who haven't found relief." The study was presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesiology 2017 annual meeting in Boston.
"他們想念學校，他們的學習成績下降、開始落後他人，常常不能完全發揮自己的潛能。很明顯，我們需要爲那些症狀沒有緩解的患者找到替代治療方法。"在波士頓召開的2017年美國麻醉協會（American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesiology）的年會上，研究員展示了這一研究。
