Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2006 , Vol 52 , Num 1

Effect of Functional Level on Energy Metabolism of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Birol Balaban 1 ,Evren Yaşar 2 ,Uğur Dal 3 ,Kamil Yazıcıoğlu 4 ,Arif Kenan Tan 5 ,Tunç Alp Kalyon 6
1 Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Ankara, Türkiye
2 Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Ankara, Türkiye
3 Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fizyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Mersin, Türkiy
4 Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Ankara
5 GATA Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
6 T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Akupunktur Bilim Komisyonu Üyesi, Ankara

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether basal metabolic rate was correlated with mobility level.
 

Materials and Methods: Eighteen children with cerebral palsy (12 male, 6 female; mean age 8.9±3.4 years) were included in this study. Five were spastic quadriplegic, 5 were spastic diplegic, and 2 were spastic hemiplegic. Basal metabolic rates (BMR) of the participants were determined with Vmax 29c Sensormedics (USA) indirect calorimetry. In the same day, all were assessed using Gross Motor Functional Measurement and Gross Motor Functional Classification System.
 

Results: Gross Motor Functional Measurement scores was correlated with BMR/kg (r=0.49, p=0.03). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between BMR/kg and Gross Motor Functional Classification System levels (p>0.05).
 

Conclusion: Metabolic energy needs of children with cerebral palsy are correlated with their mobility levels. 

Keywords : Cerebral Palsy, basal metabolic rate, functional level