Targeting Sarcopenia as an Objective Clinical Outcome in the Care of Children with Spinal Cord-Related Paralysis: A Clinician’s View

Children, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/children10050837 · Published: May 5, 2023

Simple Explanation

Muscle loss is consistently associated with immobility and paralysis and triggers signiﬁcant metabolic and functional changes. The negative effects of sarcopenia are ampliﬁed in children who are in the process of building their muscle mass as part of development. Optimizing the size and health of muscles following a neurologic injury is an objective target for therapeutic interventions.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Children with spinal cord-related paralysis

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Muscle mass correlates with functional outcomes in children with paralysis related to spinal cord-related neurologic deﬁcits.
2
The measurement of muscle mass in this population can be used as an objective outcome for clinical long-term care.
3
There are well-described, safe, and effective interventions to address sarcopenia in children with paralysis

Research Summary

Sarcopenia is immediate and profound following spinal cord injury-related paralysis. The diminished muscle mass negatively affects the development and metabolism of the growing child and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality Assessing and monitoring muscle mass can be done clinically, and simple, noninvasive methods are available.

Practical Implications

Clinical Monitoring

Consistent and ongoing evaluation of muscle mass can be a clear, objective outcome to be measured in the health maintenance of children with spinal cord-related paralysis.

Therapeutic Target

Optimizing and restoring muscle mass should be a consistent and well-defined intervention when managing post-paralysis deficits.

Intervention Strategies

There are well-described, safe, and effective interventions to address sarcopenia in children with paralysis.

Study Limitations

1
Poorly defined age-adjusted skeletal muscle mass norms in children.
2
Limited studies on muscle mass and its correlation with function and cardio-metabolic changes in pediatric populations with spinal cord-related paralysis.
3
Abnormal muscle strength and physical performance related to the disease itself complicate sarcopenia assessment in children with neuromuscular paralysis.

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