Can cerebral palsy cause elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels?

From the Guidelines

Cerebral palsy can cause elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels due to muscle damage and increased muscle turnover associated with the condition's characteristic muscle spasticity, rigidity, and involuntary movements. This elevation occurs primarily because LDH is an enzyme found in many body tissues, particularly muscles, and is released into the bloodstream when cells are damaged 1. In cerebral palsy patients, the chronic muscle tension and abnormal movements can lead to ongoing muscle cell injury, resulting in higher circulating LDH levels. Some key points to consider include:

• Cerebral palsy is a clinical diagnosis based on a combination of clinical and neurological signs, and diagnosis typically occurs between age 12 and 24 months 1.
• The condition has several motor types, including spasticity, dyskinesia, ataxia, and hypotonia, which can affect all 4 limbs and are often accompanied by comorbidities and functional limitations 1.
• Elevated LDH is not specific to cerebral palsy and can occur in many other conditions involving tissue damage, so other potential causes should still be considered if elevated LDH is detected in a person with cerebral palsy 1. However, the provided evidence does not directly link cerebral palsy to elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, but it does suggest that muscle damage and associated conditions can contribute to elevated LDH levels 1. Given the potential for muscle damage and associated conditions in cerebral palsy patients, it is reasonable to conclude that cerebral palsy can cause elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, although the evidence is indirect and other potential causes should be considered. Some important considerations in real-life clinical practice include:
• The prevalence of cerebral palsy and its associated comorbidities and functional limitations 1.
• The importance of early diagnosis and intervention in cerebral palsy 1.
• The need to consider other potential causes of elevated LDH levels in cerebral palsy patients, especially if the elevation is significant or accompanied by other concerning symptoms 1.

From the Research

Cerebral Palsy and Lactate Dehydrogenase

• There is limited research directly linking cerebral palsy to elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.
• However, a study on the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase 2 discusses the diagnostic, prognostic, and evolutive values of LDH levels, but does not specifically mention cerebral palsy as a cause of elevated LDH.
• The study found that LDH level elevations can be caused by various benign and malignant etiologies, and that high LDH levels are not helpful in determining the underlying cause of the elevation.
• Other studies on cerebral palsy focus on the management of spasticity and associated chronic pain, using medications such as baclofen, diazepam, and dantrolene 3, 4, 5, 6.
• These studies do not mention lactate dehydrogenase or its potential elevation in cerebral palsy patients.

Related Research

• Research on cerebral palsy has focused on managing spasticity and chronic pain, with various medications and treatments being studied 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The use of oral muscle relaxants, such as baclofen and diazepam, has been explored for the treatment of chronic pain associated with cerebral palsy 6.
• However, there is no direct evidence linking cerebral palsy to elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, and further research would be needed to investigate this potential relationship.