Dietary Modifications for the Malnourished Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that often results in physical disability, particularly affecting movement and posture. Children with CP are particularly susceptible to malnutrition due to various factors including difficulties with feeding, altered metabolism, and increased nutritional needs related to their condition. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of tailored dietary interventions on the health outcomes of malnourished children with CP, focusing on weight, height, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin and vitamin D levels. Methods: This quantitative study involved 20 malnourished children with CP, aged 2-14 years, selected via random sampling in Lahore, Pakistan. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants' guardians. Participants were assigned to one of five dietary treatment plans varying in composition of protein, calcium, and micronutrients. Key assessments included anthropometric measurements (weight, height, WHR) and biochemical analyses (hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, platelets, vitamin D, calcium levels), conducted at baseline and every 30 days for a 90-day period. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with significance set at α=0.05. Results: Dietary modifications led to significant improvements in average weight gain (p=0.05), with specific increases noted in height and WHR, also at the significance level of α=0.05. Biochemical markers showed notable improvements, with hemoglobin levels increasing by an average of 12%, and vitamin D levels rising significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the dietary interventions in addressing nutritional deficiencies in the CP population. Conclusion: The study confirms that dietary interventions tailored to the specific needs of children with CP can substantially improve their growth metrics and biochemical profiles, underlining the necessity of integrating personalized nutrition strategies into routine care for these patients to enhance their overall health outcomes.