Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Aug;64(8):1017-1024.
doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15196. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Eating and drinking ability and nutritional status in adults with cerebral palsy

Anita McAllister  1   2 , Eva Sjöstrand  3 , Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet  4   5
Affiliations

Eating and drinking ability and nutritional status in adults with cerebral palsy

Anita McAllister et al. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Aim: To describe eating and drinking ability in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) relative to sex, age, subtype, and severity of gross motor and hand function and nutritional status.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study based on data of 2035 adults with CP, median age 26 years (range 18-78 years). The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used in addition to subtype, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, and gastrostomy. Linear regression models were used to estimate associations between body weight and the other variables.

Results: More than half of the adults (52.5%) eat and drink safely and 32.4% have dysphagia with limitations to eating and drinking safety. Weight, height, and BMI decreased with increasing EDACS levels. In EDACS level V, 86% had a gastrostomy, 23.4% in EDACS levels III to V were underweight, whereas 42.3% in EDACS levels I to II had a BMI over 25, indicating overweight or obesity. Increasing EDACS levels and need of support during meals were associated with lower body weight.

Interpretation: Adults with CP should be routinely screened and treated for dysphagia to avoid nutritional complications. Being dependent on others during mealtimes is a risk factor for low body weight.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

References

    1. Benfer KA, Weir KA, Bell KL, Ware RS, Davies PS, Boyd RN. Oropharyngeal dysphagia and gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatrics. 2013;131:e1553–62. - PubMed
    1. Calis EA, Veugelers R, Sheppard JJ, Tibboel D, Evenhuis HM, Penning C. Dysphagia in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008;50:625–30. - PubMed
    1. Reid SM, Carlin JB, Reddihough DS. Survival of individuals with cerebral palsy born in Victoria, Australia, between 1970 and 2004. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2012;54:353–60. - PubMed
    1. Himmelmann K, Sundh V. Survival with cerebral palsy over five decades in western Sweden. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2015;57:762–7. - PubMed
    1. Lefton‐Greif MA, McGrath‐Morrow SA. Deglutition and respiration: development, coordination, and practical implications. Semin Speech Lang. 2007;28:166–79. - PubMed

Publication types