Developmental injuries such as those of either the central or peripheral nervous system have a significant impact on the function of the musculoskeletal system. They affect childhood growth, quality of life, and the ability of these children to actively participate in society. Over the past 15 years I have worked both as a pediatric physical therapist and as a researcher to understand musculoskeletal development and its dysfunction due to injuries to the nervous system at birth. My current research focuses on: A) The role of muscle stem cells in impaired musculoskeletal growth in children with cerebral palsy and B) The contribution of muscle metabolism to increased energy expenditure in children with cerebral palsy.