BACKGROUND: Inflammatory responses in utero and in neonates have been involved in the development of white matter lesions. This study aimed to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in spastic cerebral palsy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma TNF-α was measured by ELISA in 54 children with spastic cerebral palsy and 28 aged-matched controls. Both groups were split into age subgroups (1–3 vs. 4–12). Gross motor function and activities of daily living were assessed on enrollment and after 6 months of rehabilitation.

RESULTS: TNF-α was higher in patients with cerebral palsy than in controls in young (P<0.001) and older subjects (P<0.001). TNF-α levels were comparable in both control subgroups (P=0.819). Younger patients with cerebral palsy had significantly higher TNF-α levels compared with older ones (P<0.001). Pre-rehabilitation TNF-α levels correlated with improvements in activities of daily living after rehabilitation (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Children with cerebral palsy showed higher plasma levels of TNF-α than controls. In addition, pre-treatment TNF-α levels were correlated with the improvements after rehabilitation therapy.

Keywords: Child, Cerebral Palsy - physiopathology, Child, Preschool, Severity of Illness Index, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood