Assessment of Colonic Motility and Nutrients Intake in Adult with Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the colonic motility and nutrients intake in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare the results with those of normal adults. METHOD: Thirty-nine adults with CP were participated. They took the radioopaque markers for 3 successive days. Then, abdominal X-ray was taken on the fourth day. The total and segmental colon transits were estimated by the simplified assessment of a single-film technique by Metcalf et al. The amounts of nutrients intake for 3 days were recorded and nutritional factors were analyzed by ESHA(r) Food Processor. Then, daily intakes of the nutrients were compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance of Korean Nutrition Society. RESULT: Colon transit time were more than 2 times delayed in adults with CP as compared with those of normal controls. Colon transit time was significantly prolonged in non- functional ambulators (p<0.05). Colon transit time tended to be delayed in subjects with spastic type, but not related with the degree of cognitive function. On the evaluation of daily nutrients intake, several nutritional factors were inadequate in adults with CP. CONCLUSION: Adults with CP had the problems in colonic motility and nutritional intake. Also, delayed colon transit time was significantly related with poor mobility, and possibly related with spasticity.