Basic nutritional needs are usually a complicated and daily issue for children with cerebral palsy. The effects of cerebral palsy not only hamper a child’s mobility, but also influence all functions pertaining to eating, from eating to digesting. Overcoming these challenges is key to monitoring quality of life. This blog expands on these basics to outline the major nutritional challenges ahead.
1. Oral Motor Dysfunction and Swallowing Problems
Oral motor dysfunction is one of the main challenges these children face, as the necessary coordination of the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and jaw is missing. This ineffective control results in ineffective chewing and unsafe swallowing. As a result, simply eating various textures can be boring and tiresome, leaving the child exhausted before the meal is finished. Meal sessions then become lengthy and frustrating, leading to reduced food intake and a narrower variety of foods attempted.
This dysfunction can also pose a serious risk of aspiration. It occurs when food or liquid enters the respiratory tract. Aspiration without coughing can be a silent threat in such cases. To avoid such problematic situations, children with this dysfunction have to be put on pureed food and thick liquids in some cases. If a child faces severe circumstances due to this dysfunction, they can become reliant on being fed by their caregiver to avoid any risk at each meal. This makes self-feeding a very distant possibility.
2. Gastrointestinal Issues and Discomfort
Digestive issues often complicate feeding challenges. Cerebral palsy in many children leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), in which the stomach acid moves backwards towards the esophagus and thus resulting in pain and heartburn. This pain may lead the child to develop a strong aversion to feeding, equating it with pain. The lack of exercise and some drugs can also result in serious constipation. This creates a cycle of abdominal pain and bloating that further suppresses appetite.
The treatment of these GI problems is a fine balancing act that often involves drugs, dietary changes, and positioning. When such medical complexities are a result of avoidable birth injuries, families sometimes need to consult to get the full range of needs of their child. In such cases, professional cerebral palsy law firms can assist affected families in finding resources to pay for the lifetime medical and nutritional services they need. A child cannot have steady nutrition unless their stomach pain is treated first.
3. Increased Caloric Needs and Nutrient Absorption
Children with diplegic or hemiplegic cerebral palsy may have a higher caloric need compared to other children. This is due to the increased cost of maintaining continuous spasticity. They end up with much lower consumption due to the difficulties it poses. Such a combination often results in poor weight gain and the lack of necessary nutrients.
Nutrition therapy may be required to fill this gap. Some children may need a feeding tube in order to receive supplemental nutrition and hydration to promote growth and overall health. Tube feeding provides the necessary support when oral intake can't meet these requirements. These high nutritional needs also entail long-term planning by a specialized care team.
Endnote
Nutritional issues in cerebral palsy should be addressed in a multidisciplinary manner. The therapy should extend beyond satiety to address motor and digestive problems and increased nutritional requirements. This can be achieved through proper management by a team of dietitians, speech pathologists, and gastroenterologists. A balanced diet is an ingredient and foundation on which a child affected by cerebral palsy can live to the fullest.
