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Review
. 2019 Mar;22(2):122-131.
doi: 10.5223/pghn.2019.22.2.122. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Evaluation and Treatment of Malnutrition and Associated Gastrointestinal Complications in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Ivana Trivić  1 , Iva Hojsak  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation and Treatment of Malnutrition and Associated Gastrointestinal Complications in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Ivana Trivić et al. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

The majority of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have feeding difficulties and are especially prone to malnutrition. The early involvement of a multidisciplinary team should aim to prevent malnutrition and provide adequate nutritional support. Thorough nutritional assessment, including body composition, should be a prerequisite for the nutritional intervention. As in typically-developed children nutritional support should start with dietary advice and the modification of oral feeding, if safe and acceptable. However, for prolonged feeding, in the presence of unsafe swallowing and inadequate oral intake, enteral nutrition should be promptly initiated and early gastrostomy placement should be evaluated and discussed with parents/caregivers. Gastrointestinal problems (oropharyngeal dysfunction, gastroesophageal disease, and constipation) in children with CP are frequent and should be actively detected and adequately treated as they can further worsen the feeding process and nutritional status.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Children; Diet therapy; Malnutrition; Nutritional assessment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Ivana Trivić has no financial conflicts of interest. Iva Hojsak received honorarium for lectures or consultation for BioGaia, Nutricia, Nestle, GM pharma, Chr Hansen.

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