The objective of this work was to review the studies conducted among developing and developed countries to assess the growth pattern and nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy. It also aimed at summarizing the key factors responsible for high prevalence of undernutrition among them. Significant reductions in the anthropometric parameters were found in children with cerebral palsy as compared to their nondisabled counterparts. This deviation from normal growth can be attributed to inadequate dietary intake, feeding problems, decreased weight bearing, and several nonnutritional factors including abnormal endocrine function, socioeconomic status, disease severity, and age. Also, it was seen that undernutrition was more prevalent among developing countries as compared to developed countries. Besides undernutrition, various studies conducted among developed countries have reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among this population. This could be attributed to a decrease in the motor function because of the underlying condition and an increase in the gastrostomy feeding owing to availability of better health care facilities.
Key words: Cerebral palsy, growth, malnutrition, feeding
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