Association between gross motor function and nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy: a cross‐sectional study from Colombia

Aim To determine the association between gross motor function and nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy (CP) residing in an urban area in a developing country. Method We conducted a cross‐sectional study in 177 children (ages 2–12y, 59.3% male) with a diagnosis of CP who were attending rehabilitation centres in Bucaramanga, Colombia (2012–2013). A physiotherapist evaluated patients using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, levels I to V). Nutritional status was evaluated by nutritionists and classified according to the World Health Organization growth charts. We used linear and multinomial logistic regression methods to determine the associations. Results There were 39.5%, 6.8%, 5.6%, 16.4%, and 31.6% patients classified in levels I to V respectively. The mean adjusted differences for weight‐for‐age, height‐for‐age, BMI‐for‐age, and height‐for‐weight z‐scores were significantly larger for children classified in levels II to V compared with those in level I. The children classified in levels IV and V were more likely to have malnutrition (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.27–14.0) and stunting (OR 8.42; 95% CI 2.90–24.4) than those classified in GMFCS levels I to III. Interpretation Stunting and malnutrition are prevalent conditions among paediatric patients with CP, and both are directly associated with higher levels of gross motor dysfunction. What this paper adds A higher prevalence of malnutrition among patients is significantly associated with lower levels of motor function. Mild stunting and moderate/severe stunting increased significantly with level of gross motor function. Assessment of nutritional status can help prevent obesity in children with cerebral palsy. Stunting and wasting are important public health indicators. Confirms these previously unreported findings in a Latin American population. This article is commented on by Leandro on pages 893–894 of this issue.