Feeding problems in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and extent of feeding problems in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. DESIGN: Prospective hospital based interventional study. METHOD: Children with cerebral palsy of either sex were enrolled randomly and their parents were interviewed for their perception about feeding problems, nutritional status and for their views about the expected outcome of feeding problems. Each case was assessed for feeding problems based on Gisel and Patrick feeding skill score; for nutritional status by measurement of weight, skinfold thickness (at biceps, triceps, suprailiac and subscapular), mid arm circumference and caloric intake; neurologically for type and severity of cerebral palsy and for developmental age by Gasell s developmental scale. Equal number of age and sex matched controls were included for comparison of nutritional status and developmental quotient. Various rehabilitation procedures were applied and their response was observed in the followup ranging from 3-10 months. RESULTS: One hundred children (76 boys and 24 girls) with cerebral palsy of mean age 2.5 years (range 1 to 9 years) and mean developmental age of 7.6 months (range 1 to 36 months) were included in the study. Oral motor dysfunction (OMD) was found in all cases and in each category. Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (SQCP) and hypotonic patients had significantly poor feeding skill score (p < 0.001). Mean duration of feeding session was 31.5 minutes (range 10-60 minutes). Main food of children with cerebral palsy consisted of liquid and semisolid diet. Children with poor OMD were unable to take solid food. Cases with seizures had significantly more feeding problems than those without seizures (p < 0.001). Parental awareness about feeding problems of their children was significantly low and they overestimated the nutritional status of their children. Anthropometric indicators were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.001). Spastic quadreparesis, hypotonia and poor feeding skill score had negative effect on nutritional status. Thirty per cent parents of cerebral palsy patients were pessimistic about the possibility of any improvement in feeding problems. After nutritional rehabilitation, good improvement was seen in feeding problems, OMD and nutritional status. CONCLUSION: Nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy is poor due to summation of several factors. Therefore, they should be thoroughly assessed for feeding problems and nutritional status in order to start timely nutritional rehabilitation which can significantly improve their nutritional status and quality of life.

Brush cytology: an adjunct to diagnostic upper GI endoscopy.

Endoscopic brush cytology (EBC) was performed in antral and duodenal brushings of children subjected to upper GI endoscopy for the detection of H. pylori (Hp) and trophozoites of Giardia lamblia (Glt) in addition to routine endoscopic grasp biopsy (EGB). It was hospital based prospective study. EBC was performed in children subjected to upper GI endoscopy with a sheathed cytology brush. Mucosal brushings were collected from antrum, body of the stomach and second or third part of duodenum by gently rubbing the surface of the brush with the mucosal wall in all the directions, brush withdrawn and brushings performed on a glass slide. The smears were placed in 95% ethyl alcohol and later examined for Glt and Hp using Giemsa and Hematoxylin & Eosin stain. EGB was taken from antrum, body of the stomach and duodenum from sites other than those used for brushings. One hundred and seventy children between 1-13 years (median age = 5 years) were subjected to upper GI endoscopy for malabsorption (n = 94), recurrent abdominal pain (n = 49), failure to thrive (n = 16) and recurrent vomiting/regurgitation (n = 11) and EBC was performed in addition to routine EGB. Thirty five children (20.4%) were colonized by Hp, 14 (8.2%) were detected to have Glt and in 6 cases (3.5%) both Hp as well as Glt were detected. Out of 41 cases colonized by Hp, 24 cases (58.5%) were detected by EGB and 27 cases (65.8%) were detected by EBC. Out of 20 children in whom Glt were detected from their duodenum, the detection was by EBG in 12 cases (60%) and by EBC in as many as 19 cases (95%). Comparison of EGB and EBC suggested that detection rates with EBC were higher than EGB. Detection by EBC was significantly higher for Glt than Hp. There were no complications attributed to EBC and procedure time for endoscopy was not significantly prolonged. On the contrary, detection of Hp and particularly Glt in higher proportion of cases with the help of EBC was helpful in their appropriate management. Our results suggest that EBC is a safe and useful tool to enhance the value of diagnostic endoscopic procedure when used in combination with routine EGB.