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Nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy attending rehabilitation centers

María de Las Mercedes Ruiz Brunner1,2,3, Maria E Cieri1,2, Maria P Rodriguez Marco2

  • 1Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cordoba, Argentina.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|September 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Argentina face high rates of undernutrition, especially those with severe motor impairments (GMFCS levels IV and V). This risk significantly increases with greater motor compromise.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological disorder affecting movement and posture.
  • Nutritional status is a critical factor in the health and development of children with CP.
  • Understanding nutritional challenges in relation to motor function is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the nutritional status of children with CP in Argentine rehabilitation centers.
  • To investigate the association between the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and the risk of undernutrition in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 321 children (aged 2-19 years) with CP from 17 centers across five Argentine provinces.
  • Nutritional status was evaluated using height, weight, and body mass index for age z-scores based on WHO growth charts.
  • Odds ratios were calculated to determine the relationship between GMFCS levels and nutritional status.

Main Results:

  • Over half (52.4%) of the children were classified in GMFCS levels IV and V.
  • A significant proportion experienced undernutrition: 19.0% moderate and 33.9% severe.
  • Children in GMFCS levels IV and V had 4 times higher odds of moderate undernutrition and 14 times higher odds of severe undernutrition compared to those in GMFCS levels I-III.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of undernutrition exists among children with CP, particularly those in GMFCS levels IV and V, within Argentine rehabilitation settings.
  • Increased motor impairment, as indicated by higher GMFCS levels, is strongly associated with a greater risk of severe undernutrition.
  • These findings highlight the need for focused nutritional support strategies for children with CP and significant motor deficits.
Abstract

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