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Relationship between nutritional status and severity of cerebral palsy: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Yiting Zhao, Hongmei Tang, T. Peng, Jin-Ling Li, Li-Ru Liu, Chaoqiong Fu, Hongyu Zhou, Shiyan Huang et al.

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2023

1,151 participants · 27 citations

Abstract

Background Nutritional problems are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP), yet the relationship between nutritional status and the severity of CP is unclear. Objective To describe the nutritional status and characteristics of children with CP, and to explore the relationship between severity of CP and nutritional status in children. Methods This multicentre cross-sectional study included children with CP in China. Weight and height were measured and converted to z-scores. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS), Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA), social life ability, and blood indicators were tested. Results All 1,151 participants were given oral-feeding and 50.8% of them demonstrated undernutrition. Compared with those in GMFCS or EDACS levels I–III, the odds of moderate and severe undernutrition were 2.6 and 8.9 times higher in GMFCS levels IV and V, and 4.3 and 12.6 times higher in EDACS levels IV and V, respectively. Except for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, no significant differences were found in blood indicators among normal, undernourished and overnourished groups. Conclusion Degrees of undernutrition in children with CP are correlated with the severity of eating and drinking dysfunction and with gross motor impairment. Blood indicators may not reflect nutritional status in children with CP. LAY ABSTRACT Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children in the world.…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,151 participants or records.

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