Objective Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability of childhood. There is no specific intervention used to improve the motor development in CP. The aim of this paper is to report the effect of single dose of nandrolone decanoate on motor development in a in a child with CP.

Method A 14-month-old boy with CP caused by birth asphyxia presented with delayed motor development associated with mild spasticity and hyperreflexia. During the neonatal period he had poor feeding. Head control was not achieved until 1 year of age. On presentation he was unable to turn from the supine to the sitting position alone and was not able to maintain a sitting position when he was put in the sitting position. He was not crawling but he was occasionally rolling to the sides. His language was delayed and he was not saying any words with meaning. He has 3 other healthy siblings aged 3, 4, and 6 years and there was no family history of any neurological disorders. The patient received nandrolone decanoate 12.5 mg by intra-muscular injection. Estimation of the bone age was made using radiographs of the left wrist before the injection and 2 weeks after.

Results The use of a single injection of ND was associated with a dramatic effect on motor development. After one week the child was able to sit alone and was trying to stand without the occurrence of any adverse effects.

Conclusion The possible role of anabolic agents in CP should investigated in more studies.