ABSTRACT

To determine the feeding problems and improving the nutritional status by developing problem specific solutions will bring along better life quality for the children with CP.

Of the children, 60.0% were boys and 40.0% were girls with the mean age of 12.3 ± 3.3 years. It was determined that 30.0% of the children were extremely underweight, 20.0% were underweight, 12.5% were overweight, and 2.5% were obese while only 35.0% of them were found to have normal Body Mass Index (BMI). 52.5% of the children had eating problems. Most common problems encountered during eating were keeping the food in the mouth (73.5%), spilling the food over (58.0%), and coughing or choking spells during eating (42.0%). Of the most commonly encountered problems, drooling was most frequent (42.5%). Of the reported problems encountered in less than two weeks, loss of appetite and constipation rank the second by 22.5%; swallowing and chewing difficulties, and lack of interest in food rank third by 20.0%. It was demonstrated that of the children with cerebral palsy, 80.0% had insufficient intake of fiber, 72.5% had insufficient intake of calcium, and 67.5% had insufficient intake of folate. In general, the energy intake was found not sufficient; while protein intake was adequate.

The sample of the study consists of randomly selected 40 children diagnosed with CP, who were between the ages 7-17, who lived in the province of Ankara, and who were able to eat orally. Research data was collected by face to face interviews with one of the parents by a questionnaire. To determine the status of food consumption, one-day consumption information was obtained by the repeated 24-hour recalls.

This study was planned and conducted to determine the nutritional status of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and the factors affecting it.