Effects of a Modern Kefir on Conditions Associated with Moderate Severe Spastic Quadriparesis 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.

Keywords: cerebral palsy; common cold; constipation; digestive disorders; dyspepsia; malnutrition; probiotics.

Figure A1

CONSORT 2010 Flow Diagram.

Figure A2

The Rome Criteria (IV) of functional digestive disorders in clinical practice, Content License Agreement.

Figure 1

Presence of functional digestive disorders before and after treatment with modern kefir. FDD, functional digestive disorders; FCN, functional constipation; FD, functional dyspepsia, FN functional nausea FN; FAM, functional abdominal migraine; FAP, functional abdominal pain; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; SEP, syndrome epigastrium pain.

Figure 2

Presence of functional digestive disorders before and after treatment with conventional yogurt. FDD, functional digestive disorders; FCN, functional constipation; FD, functional dyspepsia; FN, functional nausea; CYVON, cyclic vomiting.

Figure 3

Differences in stool consistency according to the Bristol scale before and after consumption of modern kefir. Wilcoxon test p = 0.007.

Figure 4

Differences in stool consistency according to the Bristol scale before and after consumption of commercial yogurt. Wilcoxon Test p = 0.167.

Figure 5

Frequency of the common cold at week 0 and week 7 of the intervention. A, weekly; B, monthly; C, every 2 months; D, 2 times per year; E, never.

Figure 6

Effect of Kefir on relative differential values of leukocytes in peripheral blood. The percentages of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were analyzed. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of mean; n = 7 yogurt group and n = 9 kefir group.

Figure 7

Effect of Kefir on absolute differential values of leukocytes in peripheral blood. The absolute number of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were analyzed. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of mean; n = 7 yogurt group and n = 9 kefir group, * p < 0.05.