Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Potential of Massage Therapy in Cerebral Palsy Using Animal Models
Published on: August 11, 2023
Effects of a Modern Kefir on Conditions Associated with Moderate Severe Spastic Quadriparesis Cerebral Palsy
Adán Israel Rodríguez-Hernández1, Eva Salinas2, Deli Nazmín Tirado González3
1Departamento de Nutrición, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Av, Universiades 940, Aguascalientes C.P. 20100, Mexico.
Insights
Modern kefir supplementation significantly improved weight, height, and reduced constipation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This probiotic-rich beverage also enhanced nutritional and immune status, offering a promising health strategy for CP management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) involves movement and posture disorders due to brain injury.
- CP is often linked to intestinal issues, respiratory problems, and malnutrition.
- Functional digestive disorders (FDDs) are common comorbidities in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of modern kefir on children with cerebral palsy.
- To assess changes in anthropometric variables, digestive health, and immune markers.
- To determine if kefir can mitigate common health issues associated with CP.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 24 children with CP, divided into a modern kefir group and a control group.
- The kefir group consumed a multi-probiotic beverage; the control group consumed commercial yogurt for 7 weeks.
- Evaluated anthropometric data, resting energy expenditure, FDDs, respiratory issues, C-reactive protein, and leukocyte counts.
Main Results:
- The kefir group showed significant increases in weight and height.
- Kefir intake led to a significant reduction in functional constipation and stool hardness.
- A notable increase in blood lymphocyte counts was observed in the kefir-supplemented group.
Conclusions:
- Modern kefir, a multi-probiotic fermented milk beverage, effectively improves constipation in children with CP.
- Kefir supplementation positively impacts nutritional status and immune markers in this population.
- Modern kefir presents a viable dietary strategy for improving the overall health of children with cerebral palsy.
Abstract:
Cerebral palsy (CP) in children constitutes a set of movement and body posture disorders caused by brain injury, which in turn is associated with a series of intestinal, respiratory, and malnutrition conditions. Twenty-four children were selected and included for the present study and subdivided into two groups: (1) children who included modern kefir (containing 12 probiotic species) in their diet; and (2) control group (not including kefir in their diet). The group supplemented with modern kefir received a beverage with multi probiotic species and the control group received commercial yogurt (which included the 2 typical lactic acid bacteria) for 7 weeks. Anthropometric variables, resting energy expenditure, presence, and diagnosis of functional digestive disorders (FDD), frequency of respiratory problems, presence of elevated C-reactive protein, differential count of leukocytes were evaluated. A significant increase in weight and height was found in the kefir group at the final time point. In addition, kefir intake promoted a significant reduction in functional constipation and stool hardness and increased the absolute value of blood lymphocytes. Since the fermented milk beverage modern kefir improves constipation, which is the most important FDD in children with CP and the nutritional and immune status, it could be considered an important strategy to improve health in these children.
