A first-of-its-kind study on 150 children with cerebral palsy in Qatar has identified undernutrition as a major concern, particularly among those with short stature and low weight.
"Tailored nutritional interventions and regular monitoring are essential to improve growth outcomes and prevent malnutrition-related complications in this vulnerable population,” notes an article published on Qatar Medical Journal and featured in Qscience.com.
The research ‘Nutritional status and growth pattern in children with cerebral palsy: A retrospective study from Qatar’ conducted by a group of researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation observed that children with cerebral palsy are at a high risk of malnutrition due to feeding difficulties and motor impairments, which can further exacerbate their condition.
The study assessed the nutritional status and growth patterns in children with cerebral palsy attending a paediatric rehabilitation clinic in Qatar. The researchers highlight that nutritional status plays a critical role in the growth and health outcomes of these children, yet limited data is available on this issue in Qatar.
A retrospective observational study was conducted on 150 children with cerebral palsy aged 3-14, who were followed regularly at the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute.
Their nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric measurements - height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) - based on World Health Organisation growth charts. Tests were performed to assess associations between BMI and demographic variables, including gender, nationality, motor type, weight, and height.
The study found out that the prevalence of underweight children was 48.7% and 35.3% of them had an underweight BMI. Significant associations were found between BMI and nationality, weight status, and height status.
However, no significant associations were observed between BMI and gender or motor type. Short stature and low weight were identified as strong indicators of undernutrition.
The researchers point out that children affected with cerebral palsy often face malnutrition due to their limited motor or physical abilities, which may contribute to further deterioration of their condition.
Therefore, understanding the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy is crucial for developing effective interventions and improving health outcomes.
The study comprehensively assesses the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy and provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to malnutrition within this population, including the unique interplay of motor impairments, feeding difficulties, and diverse socioeconomic and cultural influences.
Qatar’s demographic diversity, encompassing various nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds, offers a rich context for examining undernutrition in children with this disease.
By focusing on this multifaceted population, this research aims to fill critical gaps in knowledge and contribute to a broader understanding of cerebral palsy-related malnutrition in the region. The study primarily aims to describe the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy and explore the relationship between the degree of nutritional status and the type of cerebral palsy classified according to topographical categories.
These findings offer a foundation for future research and the development of targeted interventions for improving the health outcomes of children with cerebral palsy in Qatar.
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement and posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the developing brain, most often before birth, according to mayoclinic.org
Symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years and vary from very mild to serious. Children with cerebral palsy may have exaggerated reflexes. The arms, legs and trunk may appear floppy. Or they may have stiff muscles, known as spasticity. Symptoms also can include irregular posture, movements that can't be controlled, a walk that's not steady or some combination of these.
Cerebral palsy may make it hard to swallow. It also can cause eye muscle imbalance, in which the eyes don't focus on the same object. People with the condition might have reduced range of motion in their joints due to muscle stiffness.
