Serum metabolomics after exercise in ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) consume more energy during walking than children with typical development (TD). Proper nutrition can often be a challenge for children and adults with CP, which is necessary for muscle growth and replenishing the body's energy stores. This imbalance between higher energy demands and lower energy supplies can lead to a deterioration in function.

Given this, our study looked at potential differences in energetic markers and how they may be associated with function in adolescents and young adults with CP compared to TD. Several functional tests were conducted and subsequently followed by a blood draw to quantify marker levels. We found that individuals with CP had significantly higher levels of energetic and muscle breakdown markers. A number of these markers were associated with functional capacity only in individuals with CP, not TD, with higher-functioning individuals expressing higher marker levels. This may reflect increased muscle or protein breakdown with higher energy expenditure during exercise in those with CP.