The Impact of Malnutrition on Hospitalized Children With Cerebral Palsy

Swallowing disorders in cerebral palsy: a systematic review of oropharyngeal Dysphagia, nutritional impact, and health risks

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent disorder affecting movement and posture due to nonprogressive brain issues, often leading to various sensory, cognitive, and musculoskeletal challenges. Among these complications, oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) is prevalent, impacting up to 85% of children with CP and resulting in significant nutritional deficits. This systematic review aims to explore the prevalence and types of OPD in CP patients, its effects on nutritional status, and its associated health complications, emphasizing the need for thorough assessment and intervention to mitigate risks. The review adheres to PRISMA guidelines, searching five major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) without time range restrictions to capture studies addressing swallowing disorders and their impact on nutritional status in CP. This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) 3KUQX. Individuals with CP often experience swallowing impairments, including delayed pharyngeal transit and aspiration. Research indicates that 81.5% of kids with CP suffer from dysphagia, commonly associated with reduced motor skills and general health. Moreover, as a result of these swallowing difficulties, nutritional complications may occur, with elevated levels of gastroesophageal symptoms causing malnutrition and growth delays, which require thorough evaluations and personalized interventions for successful treatment. Tools like the Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study were identified as primary methods for evaluation, but assessment remains limited by methodological inconsistencies. This systematic review underscores the significant health impacts of OPD in children with CP, which affects nutrition and overall well-being. Future research should address the need for standardized evaluation methods and effective interventions to balance nutritional needs with practical mealtime strategies.

Impact of Social Disadvantage on Medical and Functional Severity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUND

Those with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy (CP) may experience an altered impact of social determinates of health on child functioning and well-being. We investigated the relationship between relative social advantage and medical and functional outcomes in a large cohort of children, adolescents and young adults with CP (n = 1269, aged 2-84 years).

METHODS

We extracted data from the Cerebral Palsy Research Registry and dichotomized a range of independent factors (income, ethnicity and race) into advantaged and disadvantaged/vulnerable and a range of medical and functional outcomes (gross motor, manual ability, behaviour, breathing, nutritional intake, hearing, seizures, language and vision) and computed odds ratios using logistic regression.

RESULTS

We found significantly more gross and fine motor functional limitations for those with disadvantage in income (p = 0.002 and 0.006), marginalized race (p < 0.001 and 0.062) or ethnicity (p = 0.013 and 0.014). Ethnicity was further implicated in gestational age, whereas minority race played a role in more severe impairments in breathing, nutritional intake, language functioning and low birth weight status.

CONCLUSION

We found evidence of more health and functional challenges for children with CP and social disadvantage in our cohort. Additional access to equitable resources may improve these imbalances and should be prioritized.

Implementing a Halo Gravity Traction Program: A Multidisciplinary Endeavor

Halo gravity traction (HGT) is a preoperative modality for children with severe spinal deformity used to optimize spine flexibility and balance while decreasing the likelihood of neurologic injury. HGT is a dependable solution for these challenging spinal deformities. Aligning treatment guidelines and providing resources, education, and training for staff are key components for a successful HGT program. The HGT program at Children's Mercy Hospital was then developed with a systems approach with the holistic goal of multidisciplinary collaboration with physical/occupational therapy, hospital medicine, pulmonology, psychology, nutrition, child life, and complex care management. Education, research, and national collaboration to standardize this therapy should improve patient safety and support quality improvement.

Nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary-level hospital in northern Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is a significant global public health issue. Nutritional assessment combined with management or advice are essential to produce optimal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess nutritional status and the sociodemographic profile of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Bangladesh.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December to April 2020 among the population of children with NDDs who presented to the pediatric department of the TMSS Medical College and Rafatullah Community Hospital in Bogura during this period. Socio-demographic data along with anthropometric measurements of the children were taken. Assessment of nutritional status were made using metrics such as z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age (BAZ). Descriptive statistics (number and percentage) and analytical statistics (chi-square and logistic regression) were included.

RESULTS

58.6% of children displayed malnutrition, with 47.8% showing undernutrition (WHZ / BAZ - 1 SD-≤-3 SD), and 10.8% overnutrition (BAZ > 2SD). Significant negative associations were found between malnutrition and parental education level, urban residency, and monthly family income. Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy exhibited twice the likelihood to be malnourished (AOR 2.39, 95% CI 0.83-6.87). Furthermore, residing in rural regions was associated with an increased risk of experiencing malnutrition, as indicated by an adjusted odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI 0.12-3.09).

CONCLUSIONS

While the results are cross-sectional, over half of children with NDDs were found to be malnourished, suggesting that children with NDD in Bangladesh are vulnerable to developing any form of malnutrition. Therefore, regular assessments and timely nutritional support may improve their situation.

Pediatric formulas: Categories, composition, and considerations

Formulas, liquid nutrition, may be consumed orally or via a feeding tube to provide partial or complete nutrition that a given individual could not obtain using natural food stuffs in their native form. A wide range of commercially available formulas exist, which may be used as sole-source nutrition or in conjunction with other foods. Physicians and dietitians must understand the nature of and indications for specific formulas to treat diseases, provide complete nutrition to patients, and avoid harm. Products vary in macronutrient and micronutrient content and calorie concentration among many other factors. They are formulated specifically for patients of specific ages, correlating to nutritional needs and medical diagnoses. Additionally, formula availability, insurance coverage, mode of consumption, physiologic tolerance, and caregiver preference influence formula selection. Caregivers may also make their own pediatric formulas. We review commercial and homemade pediatric formulas.

Odds of Cardiometabolic Diseases and Medications in Children With Cerebral Palsy

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Individuals with cerebral palsy may be at risk of obesity, but outcomes and risk factors are understudied. The study objectives are to evaluate the frequency of body mass index (BMI) weight categories of individuals with cerebral palsy and the odds of cardiometabolic-specific diseases and medications. We hypothesize subjects with cerebral palsy and an increased body mass index will have higher odds of cardiometabolic specific diseases and medications.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational cohort study utilizing TriNetX, an electronic health record database, in subjects with cerebral palsy aged 2-18 years with an available body mass index. The study population was divided into 4 body mass index percentile categories, underweight (<5th body mass index percentile), healthy weight (≥5th to <85th percentile), overweight (≥85th to <95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile), and the odds of the following variables were evaluated: diagnostic codes and medication codes. We computed the odds ratio to test for associations between the body mass index categories and the variables of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 5993 subjects were included: underweight (251, 4.2%), healthy weight (2390, 39.9%), overweight (943, 15.7%), and obese (2409, 40.2%). Obese subjects had a higher odds of asthma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea when compared to the health weight group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found patients with cerebral palsy classified as obese had higher odds of cardiometabolic comorbidity and medication codes that influence weight. Body mass index measurements are limited in this population but may be used cautiously to evaluate the body type of children with cerebral palsy and monitor cardiometabolic-associated comorbidity occurrence.

Pelvic radiography as a non-invasive screening tool for hiatal hernia in children with cerebral palsy

The diagnosis of hiatal hernia (HH), causing severe gastroesophageal reflux disease and complications in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is cumbersome because invasive investigations are required for diagnosis. Hip displacement, one of the most common complications in children with CP, can be diagnosed with a simple pelvic radiograph. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of hip displacement and HH and the diagnostic accuracy of Reimers' hip migration percentage (MP) on pelvic radiography in assessing the presence of HH. A total of 52 children with CP (27 boys, 25 girls; mean age, 6.3 years; range, 0.6-17.4 years) who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series and pelvic radiography between March 2013 and February 2020 were recruited. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as endoscopic and radiological findings, were evaluated and statistically analyzed. HH was defined as ≥ 2 cm proximal displacement of the gastroesophageal junction identified in esophagogastroduodenoscopy or upper gastrointestinal series, and MP was calculated by evaluating the pelvic radiograph. Of the 52 children enrolled in this study, HH was diagnosed in 18 children (34.6%). When the patients were classified and analyzed according to the MP result, HH was observed in 10%, 26.7%, and 70.6% in MP <33%, MP 33%-39%, and MP > 40% groups, respectively (P < .001). The optimal MP cutoff of 36.5% distinguished pediatric CP patients with HH from those without HH with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 68%, a positive predictive value of 56.0%, and a negative predictive value of 85.2%, respectively. The application of MP and the severity of hip displacement, which can be easily measured by simple radiography, may be useful and reliable in screening for detecting HH in children with CP. Retrospectively registered. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (IRB No. B-2007-627-106).

Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review study and meta-analysis sought to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The articles were chosen using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SciELO, and Lilacs databases and the bibliographical reference lists of the articles. No limitations were placed on the time of publication, but the articles had to include children from 0 to 18 years old with CP who presented the prevalence of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the verification list for analytical cross-sectional studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool for randomized studies. The meta-analysis of proportions was conducted based on the prevalence data for malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies. The study is registered in PROSPERO under CRD number 42020175068.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven articles (N = 453,804) published between 1986 and 2019 were included. Most of the articles presented a low risk of bias and no publication was excluded for quality reasons. The most widely used anthropometric index for diagnosing nutritional status was weight-to-age and the estimated prevalence of malnutrition was 40% (95% CI = 28.0-53.0). Nutrient deficiency was investigated by nine publications, with hypocalcemia and reduced serum concentrations of zinc, copper, and vitamin D being reported the most.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high rate of malnutrition in the population in this review, moreover, we suggest that some nutritional deficiencies are associated with food deficit and that the socio-economic and age factors of these children may relate with the poor nutritional outcome. This makes monitoring and personalized nutritional management necessary, in accordance with the characteristics and particularities of children with CP.