[Morbimortality associated to nutritional status and feeding path in children with cerebral palsy]

M J Figueroa1, C Rojas2, S Barja3

  • 1Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.

Revista Chilena De Pediatria
|September 13, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) and nutritional risk (NR) showed similar hospitalization and mortality rates. However, gastrostomy-fed children with CP faced higher risks than orally fed peers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience malnutrition, impacting prognosis.
  • New growth curves (Brooks, 2011) aid in nutritional assessment, with Weight/Age index cut-offs linked to morbidity and mortality.
  • Nutritional status is a critical factor in managing CP complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the risk of hospitalization and death in pediatric CP patients based on their nutritional risk (NR).
  • To identify specific feeding methods associated with adverse outcomes in CP.
  • To inform nutritional management strategies for improved CP patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, prospective cohort study was conducted with CP patients at an outpatient referral center.
  • Demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional assessment data were collected.
  • Hospitalizations and mortality were tracked over a one-year follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • The study included 81 CP patients (mean age 131.6 months, 60% male), with 77.5% lacking independent mobility.
  • Twenty-three patients (28.4%) were identified with nutritional risk (NR), exhibiting lower muscle and fat mass.
  • While NR did not increase hospitalization/mortality risk, gastrostomy-fed children showed significantly higher risks (RR: 2.98).

Conclusions:

  • Children and adolescents with severe CP and nutritional risk had comparable morbidity and mortality to those with adequate nutritional status over one year.
  • Gastrostomy feeding in CP patients was associated with significantly higher hospitalization and mortality risks compared to oral feeding.
  • Nutritional assessment and feeding method are crucial considerations for managing CP patients.
Abstract

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