Anthropometric profile and body composition of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy on enteral diet

Abstract

Objective To investigate the anthropometric variables and body composition of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy based on the type of enteral diet received. Methods A case-series study involving 38 individuals with spastic quadriparetic cerebral palsy, aged four to 18 years, fed only by the enteral route, followed up at a Reference Hospital in the city of Recife (PE), Brazil. One group received an exclusively industrialized enteral diet, while the other received a mixed diet (industrialized and homemade). Weight, stature, arm circumference, and arm muscle area were measured. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results There was no significant difference between the groups receiving industrialized and mixed diets, with a high stature deficit frequency (63.6% versus 68.7%; p=0.743), excess fat mass (93.3% versus 58.3%; p=0.060), and fat free mass deficit (73.3% versus 66.7%; p=1.000) observed in both groups. Regarding the nutritional composition of the enteral diet, 54.5% and 53.8% of the individuals in the industrialized and mixed diet groups, respectively, received an industrialized enteral diet with a hypercaloric, hyperlipidic, and hypoproteic nutritional composition. Conclusion It was concluded that there was no difference in anthropometric parameters and body composition based on the type of diet received. It should be considered that the nutritional composition of the most commonly used industrialized diet among the individuals in this study may have influenced the unfavorable outcomes, such as the high frequency of low muscle mass and excess fat mass. This highlights the need for the formulation and availability of an enteral diet that meets the nutritional needs of this population.