Survey of Nutritional Problems Encountered in Children with Neuromotor Disorders

A survey of 200 patients ranging in age from 5-21 yr was undertaken in 3 facilities in central Pennsylvania: State- (100), county- (13), and privately-operated (66), together with 21 children being cared for at home. Their diagnoses included chromosomal, metabolic, and anatomic abnormalities, and other encephalopathies. The following nutritional problems were identified: 1) inadequate nutrient intake due to feeding technique, swallowing difficulties, or regurgitation; 2) obesity and low activity level; 3) constipation; 4) nutrient-drug interactions and allergies; and 5) inadequate standards with which to compare growth and adequacy of nutrient intake. The nutritional problems encountered in these pediatric patients with neuromotor disorders warrant management by a physician-nutritionist team skilled in nutritional assessment and techniques of providing nutritional support.