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Reported eating ability of young children with cerebral palsy: is there an association with gross motor function?
Kelly A Weir1, Kristie L Bell, Fiona Caristo
1Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. k.weir1@uq.edu
Insights
Parent-reported eating skills in young children with cerebral palsy (CP) are closely linked to their gross motor function. Early screening for oral-motor and feeding difficulties is crucial for children with CP, regardless of their motor abilities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function and can impact feeding abilities.
- Understanding the relationship between gross motor function and eating skills is vital for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between parent-reported food texture eating abilities and gross motor functional abilities in young children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, longitudinal cohort study involving 170 children with CP.
- Gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).
- Parent-reported eating ability was evaluated using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; data analyzed with generalized estimating equations.
Main Results:
- Children with higher GMFCS levels (indicating more severe motor impairment) reported significantly lower abilities to eat cut-up/chunky and all food textures.
- Decreased ability to eat pureed/blended and ground/lumpy foods was significantly associated with GMFCS levels IV and V compared to GMFCS I.
Conclusions:
- Parent-reported eating skills are strongly associated with GMFCS level in young children with CP.
- Early oral-motor and feeding assessments are recommended for all young children with CP, irrespective of their gross motor functional abilities.
Objective:
To examine the association between parent-reported ability of young children with cerebral palsy (CP) to eat different food textures and gross motor functional abilities.
Design:
Prospective, longitudinal, representative cohort study.
Setting:
Community and tertiary pediatric hospital settings.
Participants:
Children (N=170; 110 boys [65%]) were assessed on 396 occasions (range, 1-4 occasions), including 67 at 1 year 6 months (49 boys), 99 at 2 years (66 boys), 111 at 2 years 6 months (71 boys), and 119 at 3 years (64 boys).
Interventions:
Not applicable
Main Outcome Measures:
Gross motor function was determined using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Parent-reported eating ability was determined using 4 items of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. The association between capability to eat food textures and GMFCS level was examined using generalized estimating equations.
Results:
The distribution of GMFCS levels at initial presentation was as follows: I, n=62; II, n=32; III, n=24; IV, n=22; and V, n=30. Reported capability to eat cut-up/chunky and "all textures" of table foods decreased significantly as GMFCS level increased. A decreased capability to eat pureed/blended and ground/lumpy foods compared with GMFCS I was significantly associated with GMFCS levels IV and V only.
Conclusions:
Reported attainment of eating skills was closely associated with GMFCS level in young children with CP across age levels. These results emphasize the need for early oral-motor and feeding screening in young children with CP across gross motor functional abilities.
