Severe gastric distension in seven patients with cerebral palsy

Severe gastric distension in seven patients with cerebral palsy

Del Beccaro MA; McLaughlin JF; Polage DL

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

1991

Child; Female; Male; Adult; Enteral Nutrition; Gastrostomy; Human; Case Report; Cerebral Palsy/co [Complications]; Adolescence; Weight Loss; Stomach Dilatation/et [Etiology]; Vomiting/et [Etiology]; Cerebral Palsy/th [Therapy]; Mental Retardation/co [Complications]; Scoliosis/co [Complications]; Stomach Dilatation/th [Therapy]; Vomiting/th [Therapy]

This is a report of two children who had severe recurrent gastric distension and vomiting, and five who experienced severe gastric distension without vomiting. Two of the five died during an episode of acute gastric distension. All had marked nutritional depletion, and severe spastic quadriplegia due to either cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury. None of the patients had significant gastroesophageal reflux. Positioning the patients in the left lateral decubitus position temporarily relieved their obstructions. Complete resolution of the distension and/or vomiting did not occur until after adequate weight gain. Loss of fat stores may lead to this type of recurrent gastric distension.

1991

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