Abstract:

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between feeding behavior and nutritional status of children with spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: 56 children between the ages of 2 to 15 years with spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy participated in the study. The ages, heights, body weights, body mass indexes, birth weights and gestational ages of the children were recorded. Their feeding behavior was examined by using Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale. Their gross motor function levels was designated based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Their nutritional status were estimated by using age for body mass indexes percentile curves. Results: Three groups were formed out of 56 children based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System, namely 10 children at level 3 (17.9%), 12 at level 4 (21.4%) and 34 at level 5 (60.7%). There was a significant difference found between inadequate nutrition, normal nutrition, overweight and obese groups according to total frequency score (p<0,0001) and total problem score (p=0,0005) of feeding behavior in these children. Moreover, there was a significant difference found between Gross Motor Function Classification System level 3, level 4, level 5 according to total frequency score (p=0,004). Conclusion: Along with many studies on behavior problems in children with cerebral palsy, there is little evidence on the feeding behavior of these children. In our study, we found that worsening of the gross motor function level of children with quadriparetic cerebral palsy increased feeding behavior problems and stressed on the family/caregiver in accordance with the literature. It was also observed that the feeding behavior of the children also affected the nutritional levels. Feeding behavior was worsened and increased stress of parents as Gross Motor Function Classification System levels increased. Besides, feeding behavior affected nutritional status. Feeding behavior of spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy created stress on parents and affected their nutritional status.

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