Identification of feeding risk factors for impaired nutrition status in paediatric patients with cerebral palsy

AIM: To assess the nutrition status of children with CP, applying WHO growth standards, to indentify feeding risk factors and to evaluate their impact on the growth of children with CP. METHODS: In 42 paediatric patients (mean age 8.00 ± 4.00 years), anthropometry and food intake records were assessed. z-scores were calculated using WHO Anthro software. Intake to requirements ratio (I/R) was calculated, and patients were classified according to their feeding ability (PFA). Overall diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Index International (DQI-I). RESULTS: Based on WAz, 15 patients (38.1%) were undernourished. No association was found between I/R ratio and BMI z-score, while PFA and DQI-I displayed a significant correlation to both (p < 0.05). Diet Quality Index International was also correlated with macronutrient distribution (p < 0.05). Patients with CP were undernourished in a considerable proportion. Malnutrition in patients with CP is not associated with the intake of estimated energy requirements. Among the other feeding risk factors studied, PFA and DQI-I represented important parameters associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION: WHO z-scores represent accurate parameters for the assessment of malnutrition in patients with CP. Together with anthropometry and PFA evaluation, the use of the DQI-I would add prognostic value to both the initial growth assessment and the patients' growth monitoring.