Nutritional problems in people with cerebral palsy

People with severe cerebral palsy may have significant difficulty with chewing and swallowing, and eating adequate food for good nutrition. Dysphagia occurs in an estimated 50% of children with cerebral palsy, and is extremely common in infancy. Energy expenditure in people with dyskinesia or spasticity may be significantly increased due to additional movement and inefficient gait.

People with cerebral palsy may have difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight. Being underweight is a risk factor for malnutrition and osteoporosis; being overweight creates additional musculoskeletal stress, and can be associated with reduced mobility and increased difficulty with self-care. For advice on managing undernutrition and obesity, including referrals, see Nutritional disorders in people with developmental disability.

Consider nasogastric (short-term) or gastrostomy feeds if the person with cerebral palsy:

• is underweight
• has excessively long mealtimes impacting on quality of life
• has aspiration not adequately managed by modified texture diet and safe swallowing strategies.

For advice, see Enteral nutrition and Dysphagia in people with developmental disability.