Feeding and Eating Considerations in Cerebral Palsy
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Top Contributors - Ewa Jaraczewska, Jess Bell, Tarina van der Stockt and Kim Jackson
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Feeding is a vitally important process in everyday life. It is important for the development of the motor and cognitive functions of the child because a healthy and nutritious food is essential for a normal brain development. [1]Children with cerebral palsy are often diagnosed with poor nutritional status due to their feeding and swallowing problems. When untreated it may lead to growth failure, chronic aspiration, esophagitis, and respiratory infections. [1] It can also impact the child's social, emotional, and cognitive function, and can significantly increase caregiver stress. [2]This article will provide an overview of problems and solutions in feeding children with cerebral palsy who experience eating and swallowing difficulties.
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders[edit | edit source]
Paediatric Feeding Disorder is "an impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction."[3]
Dysphagia is a swallowing problem that places the child at risk for aspiration with oral feeding. Aspiration may lead to a life-threatening pulmonary consequences. [4]
Healthcare Team Responsibilities[edit | edit source]
Interdisciplinary team is needed to treat the child with feeding and eating difficulties because different areas of the child's life can be impacted.
Speech-Language Pathologist[edit | edit source]
Communication, speech and language pathologist is responsible for the following:[5]
- Assessing the function of feeding
- Contributing to the diagnosis and aetiology of dysphagia
- Assessing the protective capacity of the respiratory system
- Indicating alternative ways of eating
- Providing direct and indirect intervention with the patient which include strengthening facial muscles, teaching different strategies to develop sucking, chewing, and drinking skills, tasting new food, and drink with rich flavours, aromas, and modifying food liquid to improve swallowing
- Guiding staff and care givers in better management of the feeding difficulties
Occupational Therapist[edit | edit source]
occupational therapy intervention focuses on the following issues. Oral motor skills, sensory processing, promoting correct functional posture, selecting adaptive devices, and suggesting different strategies to use them correctly. Adjusting, adapting the environment, also working with parents, caregivers, and teaching them how to use different feeding methods or techniques.
assess the child's feeding skills, motor skills, sensory skills, and strength, as well as the behaviour and environmental factors surrounding mealtimes. Following this, our occupational therapists can input a plan to ensure your child is reaching their full potential with self feeding, independence and safety.
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ferluga ED, Archer KR, Sathe NA, Krishnaswami S, Klint A, Lindegren, McPheeters ML. Interventions for Feeding and Nutrition in Cerebral Palsy [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2013 Mar. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 94.) Introduction. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK132442/ [last access 25.01.2024]
- ↑ Greer AJ, Gulotta CS, Masler EA, Laud RB. Caregiver stress and outcomes of children with pediatric feeding disorders treated in an intensive interdisciplinary program. J Pediatr Psychol. 2008 Jul;33(6):612-20.
- ↑ Goday PS, Huh SY, Silverman A, Lukens CT, Dodrill P, Cohen SS, Delaney AL, Feuling MB, Noel RJ, Gisel E, Kenzer A, Kessler DB, Kraus de Camargo O, Browne J, Phalen JA. Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019 Jan;68(1):124-129.
- ↑ Arvedson JC. Feeding children with cerebral palsy and swallowing difficulties. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013 Dec;67 Suppl 2:S9-12.
- ↑ Maggioni L, Araújo CM. Guidelines and practices on feeding children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Human Growth and Development. 2020 Apr;30(1):65-74.
