Prevalence and severity of feeding and nutritional problems in children with neurological impairment: Oxford Feeding Study
Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Parent-Child Relations; Severity of Illness Index; adolescent; Preschool; Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support; Nervous System Diseases/complications; disabled children; Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood/epidemiology/etiology; Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology/etiology
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and severity of feeding and nutritional problems in children with neurological impairment within a defined geographical area. In a cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire was sent to 377 parents of children (aged 4 to 13 years) on the Oxford Register of Early Childhood Impairments with oromotor dysfunction. The return rate was 72%. Of these, 93% had cerebral palsy; 47% were unable to walk; 78% had speech difficulty; and 28% continuous drooling of saliva. Gastrointestinal problems were commonly encountered: 59% were constipated; 22% had significant problems with vomiting, and 31% had suffered at least one chest infection in the previous 6 months. Feeding problems were prevalent: 89% needed help with feeding and 56% choked with food; 20% of parents described feeding as stressful and unenjoyable. Prolonged feeding times (3h/day) were reported by 28%. Only 8% of participants received caloric supplements and 8% were fed via gastrostomy tube. Even though 38% of respondents considered their child to be underweight, 64% of children had never had their feeding and nutrition assessed. The results highlight that feeding problems in children with neurological impairment are common and severe, causing parental concern. Many of these children would benefit from nutritional assessment and management as part of their overall care.
2000
Sullivan P; Lambert B; Rose M; Ford-Adams ME; Johnson A; Griffiths P
Developmental Medicine And Child Neurology
2000
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1017/s0012162200001249" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1017/s0012162200001249</a>
Impact of feeding problems on nutritional intake and growth: Oxford Feeding Study II
Child; Female; Humans; Male; adolescent; Preschool; Nutritional Failure; Nutrition Assessment; Anthropometry; disabled children; Brain Damage; Child Nutrition Disorders/diagnosis; Chronic/diagnosis; Developmental Disabilities/diagnosis; Eating Disorders/diagnosis/etiology; Failure to Thrive/diagnosis/etiology
Poor nutritional status and growth failure are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to assess, within a subgroup of a large and clearly defined population of children with disabilities, the impact of feeding difficulties on (1) the quality (micronutrient intake) and quantity (macronutrient intake) of their diet and (2) their growth. One hundred children with disabilities (40 females, 60 males; mean age 9 years, SD 2 years 5 months; range 4 years 6 months to 13 years 7 months) underwent a detailed dietetic analysis and a comprehensive anthropometric assessment. Diagnostic categories of disability were: CP (n=90); global developmental delay (n=3); Marfan syndrome (n=1); intractable epilepsy (n=2); agenesis of the corpus callosum (n=2); methyl malonic aciduria (n=1); and congenital rubella (n=1). Neurological impairment was classified according to difficulty with mobility which was graded as mild (little or no difficulty walking), moderate (difficulty walking but does not need aids or a helper), and severe (needs aids and/or a helper or cannot walk). Results confirmed the significant impact of neurological impairment in children on body growth and nutritional status becoming worse in those with a greater degree of motor impairment. The major nutritional deficit was in energy intake, with only one fifth reportedly regularly achieving over 100% estimated average requirement (EAR), whilst micronutrient intake was less markedly impaired and protein intake was normal in this group (96% above EAR). Many children with neurological impairment would benefit from individual nutritional assessment and management as part of their overall care.
2002
Sullivan P; Juszczak E; Lambert BR; Rose M; Ford-Adams ME; Johnson A
Developmental Medicine And Child Neurology
2002
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1017/s0012162201002365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1017/s0012162201002365</a>