A Cross-sectional Survey of Growth and Nutritional Status in Children With Cerebral Palsy in West China.
We describe the growth and nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (2 to 18 years old) in West China and to explore the correlation between the nutritional status and age, gender, and gross and fine motor function.



We performed a cross-sectional survey of children registered as having cerebral palsy in the China Disabled Persons' Federation branch in Chengdu. Growth (height and weight) and nutritional (body mass index) status were recorded. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to determine gross and fine motor function, respectively. The association between nutritional status and age, GMFCS and MACS levels was evaluated.



We enrolled 377 children (53.6% male), among whom 160 (42.4%) were stunting, 48 (12.7%) underweight, 81 (21.5%) thin, and 70 (18.5%) overweight and obese. Thinness was the main nutritional problem in older patients (12 to 18 years), whereas overweight and obesity were the major issues in younger patients (2 to 12 years). Growth deviation and malnutrition were significantly more prevalent in patients with severe motor impairments. A significant negative correlation was found between nutritional status and age, GMFCS and MACS levels, and between growth and GMFCS and MACS levels.



Growth abnormality is common in children with cerebral palsy. Malnutrition and overnutrition both exist in children with cerebral palsy. Characteristics at different age stages and motor functional levels should be taken into consideration in the management of growth and nutrition in this population.
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Fangfang
F
Wang
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Qianyun
Q
Cai
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Wei
W
Shi
Chengdu Disabled Persons Federation, Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Huayin
H
Jiang
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Na
N
Li
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Dan
D
Ma
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Qiu
Q
Wang
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: 1109329811@qq.com.
Rong
R
Luo
Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Dezhi
D
Mu
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012042:Registries
cerebral palsy; fine motor function; gross motor function; growth; nutritional status