Article

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status, and provide
information regarding anthropometric measurements of cerebral-palsied children
living in the city of Ankara, Turkey. METHOD:
A total of 447 children with
cerebral palsy (CP) were participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants
were assessed for functional motor impairment by the gross motor function
classification system (GMFCS). Assesment of nutritional status was based on the
triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), arm fat area (AFA) estimates derived from TSF
and mid-upper arm circumference measurements. TSF and AFA Z-scores were computed
using reference data. RESULTS: Cerebral-palsied children had lower TSF and AFA
Z-scores compared to reference data from healthy children. The prevalence of
underweight and overweight among boys was 8.3 and 9.5%, respectively, whereas it
was 19.0 and 0.5% for girls. Underweight was more prevalent in the low
functioning children than in moderate functioning children. CONCLUSIONS: The
findings of this study indicate that cerebral-palsied children face nutritional
challenges. Underweight is more prevalent than overweight among cerebral-palsied
children. To optimize the outcomes of rehabilitation and prevention efforts, an
understanding of the heterogeneity of nutritional status among children with CP
is required.

Langue : ANGLAIS