Cerebral Palsy Diet

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition in which the brain cannot sufficiently control the muscles of the body. This can be characterized by immobility of certain body parts, uncontrollable movements, and a severe lack of balance. Cerebral palsy is easily diagnosed in children; almost 5,000 American infants and children are diagnosed with the condition each year. Since cerebral palsy can cause difficulty with eating and drinking, malnutrition is a common problem. A careful diet can help eliminate that risk.

Diet

• The key word is calories. Children with cerebral palsy often receive a fraction of their daily calorie intake. You can supplement your child's diet with several high-calorie, healthy options. At a health or grocery store look for supplements such as Ensure, Sustacal, and Pediasure. These are high-calorie supplement drinks recommended for healthy calorie intake. You can also increase calories with careful food selection. Puddings, peanut butter, eggs, and cheese are great choices. Children with cerebral palsy often struggle to chew tough foods, so creating high-calorie shakes is an effective alternative.

Practicing

• Since CP children can have difficulty chewing, try giving the child exercises to build up jaw and tongue strength. Give your child some dried apricots or other chewy foods for practice. You may find that after a few sessions of practice, solid food can be more easily handled.

Consultation

• Before changing your child's diet plan, talk to a pediatrician or dietitian. Any significant change in diet can have unintended health effects, so check with a doctor about any necessary precautions or advice.