The effect of feeding problems on the growth of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

Abstract

This cross sectional study determine the growth, feeding problems and nutrient intakes of cerebral palsy children and adolescents. A total of 153 subjects (68 females, 85 males) aged between 2 to 15 years old (mean 8.93+3.5) from community rehabilitation centers and spestic centers around Kuala Lumpur, Muar and Penang were recruited using convenience sampling method. 61% of subjects had feeding problems especially in the severe level group (72.9%) as compared to the mild (50.6%) [(χ²=7.890), p<0.05], whereby choking and swallowing were significantly associated with their severity levels [(χ²_choking=7.183), p<0.05; (χ² _swallowing=9.994), p<0.05]. Subjects with feeding problems have lower body weight, height, BMI, fold and MUAC (p<0.05 for all parameters). 60% of cerebral palsy subjects had poor nutritional status, feeding problems and the presence of feeding problems significantly affects their growth.

Keywords: cerebral palsy; feeding problem; specific growth charts; gross motor classification system; wasting.