About the BNN Paediatrics

The BNN Paediatrics affiliation was founded on the 14th March 2019 to gather British clinicians who use Botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) injections for the treatment of children with dystonia, spasticity and other neurological disorders.

We are part of the BNN (British Neurotoxin Network); this affiliation was created after I attended the BNN annual meeting last year, and there was no Paediatrics representation on the meeting. After exchanging information with some physiotherapists and paediatric consultants, as well as receiving the support from Dr Marie-Helene from the BNN, we created the Paediatrics branch of BNN to promote exchange of experiences and events.

On this website is available a blog with updated information about services, events and studies that are shared by members of BNN Paediatrics. There is also a series of Maps with all centres registered on BNN for the treatment of each condition type.
My wish is to contribute to a better care for children who require Botulinum toxin treatment throughout the United Kingdom.

Renata Silva, Founder of the BNN Paediatrics

The purpose of our organisation is:

1. To promote communication between clinicians running BoNT-A clinics for childrenin the UK.
2. To maintain up-to-date UK maps displaying the availability of BoNT-A services, in order to help clinicians and patients get the most appropriate care for a specific condition.
3. To establish consensus regarding best practice throughout the UK, concerning doses, injection sites, the use of EMG or ultra-sound-guided injections and so forth.
4. To improve BoNT-A services, namely through the promotion of local care via BoNT-A nurses and BoNT-A physiotherapists and in partnership with bigger centres.
5. To promote a multidisciplinary approach with our colleagues of all areas working with children.

We believe that, through these goals, the BNN Paediatrics will contribute to better care for patients requiring BoNT-A treatment and will act as a task force to work in partnership with the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and patients support group.

The BNN Paediatrics is affiliated to British Neurotoxin Network, which is a non profit company registered no 8263014.

The company is funded by workshop and meeting fees and non restricted educational grants from Allergan, Ipsen and Merz for equal parts.

The members of the board of directors are:

Dr Marie-Helene Marion, founder of the BNN (London) 2012- current, chair of the BNN.

Renata Silva, founder of BNN Paediatrics (London) 2019-current, chair of the BNN Paediatrics.

Belinda Crowe 2024 – current

Stephanie Cawker (London) 2019 – current

Dr Vijay Palanivel (Surrey) 2019 – current