Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG62/1

Question

Optimising nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy:- What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of early interventions for optimising protein, energy and micronutrient nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- Most children with cerebral palsy have clinically significant oral motor dysfunction, and around 20% of children with cerebral palsy are undernourished. Provision of high-calorie and high-protein diets, either orally or via tube feeding, is well established to improve weight gain. Supplementation with micronutrients (such as vitamin D) is also necessary to ensure nutritional adequacy and prevent deficiencies. There is a lack of evidence about whether a more proactive approach to nutrition support in young children with cerebral palsy would improve growth and other aspects of clinical and developmental function. There is also insufficient evidence to determine whether higher intake of individual nutrients may have additional benefits; for example, there is emerging evidence that increased protein intake improves muscle strength, albeit in a different population (healthy older adults). A multicentre randomised controlled trial is needed that assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of early interventions to optimise protein, energy and micronutrient nutritional status in this population.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Cerebral palsy in under 25s: assessment and management

Number

NG62

Date issued

January 2017

Other details