Nutritional status and prevalence of dysphagia in cerebral palsy: usefulness of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System scale and correlation with the degree of motor impairment according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Digestive disorders are one of the most common comorbidities among children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study is to examine the nutritional status of patients with CP, the prevalence of dysphagia by degree of motor impairment, and the impact of digestive disorders on quality of life.

Material and methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, open-label study of out-patients with CP from a tertiary hospital in the Region of Madrid using a structured interview, classifying dysphagia using the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS). We gathered demographical and anthropometric data, and analysed the correlation between severity of dysphagia and functional status as measured with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Results: Our sample included 44 patients (65.9% boys), with a mean (standard deviation) age of 9.34 (5) years and a mean BMI of 18.5 (4.9). Forty-three percent presented safety and efficiency limitations (EDACS level > II). Safety and efficiency limitations were associated with more extensive motor involvement (60% had tetraparesis), more varied clinical manifestations (87% had mixed forms) and poorer functional capacity (100% on GMFCS V). The impact on nutritional status increased with higher EDACS and GMFCS scores.

Conclusions: This is the first study into the usefulness of the EDACS scale in a representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents with CP. Our findings underscore the importance of screening for dysphagia in these patients, regardless of the level of motor impairment, and the need for early treatment to prevent the potential consequences: malnutrition (impaired growth, micronutrient deficiencies, osteopaenia, etc.), microaspiration, or recurrent infections that may worsen patients' neurological status.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Desnutrición; Dificultades de alimentación; Disfagia; Dysphagia; Enteral nutrition; Feeding difficulties; Malnutrition; Nutrición enteral; Nutrition assessment; Parálisis cerebral; Valoración nutricional.