Effects of Growth Deficiency and Feeding Method on Parental Anxiety in Cerebral Palsy Children with Swallowing Disorders

Abstract

Aim: This study was planned to investigate the relationship between growth, feeding method and anxiety status of parents of cerebral palsy children (CP) with swallowing disorders. Subjects and Methods: The study included CP children aged between 1-8 years who had a complaint of swallowing difficulty for at least 3 months, and their parents. Demographic and nutritional information were obtained by a questionnaire. Weight and height-for-age z-scores were calculated by Anthro Software of World Health Organization. The severity of penetration and aspiration was determined by Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS). The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine anxiety level of caregivers. Results: A total of sixty-nine CP children (mean age=3.73±2.0 years, 50.7% male) were included. The mean weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores were -1.27±1.89 and -1.62±2.39, respectively. At the time of admission, 59.4% of the children were fed orally and 7.2% were fed a liquid-modified diet, while 33.3% received tube feeding. According to Modified Barium Swallowing Study 55.1% of children had oral phase, 52.2% had pharyngeal phase and 24.6% had esophageal phase (motility) problems. The frequency and mean level of trait anxiety of parents were calculated as 78.3% and 44.7±8.54, respectively. There was a significant relation between baseline feeding method and trait anxiety of parents (p=0.02). Conclusion: This study in a group of CP children in early childhood and had a complaint of swallowing disorder showed that more than half of these children had problems in oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Swallowing problems and feeding difficulties may affect child’s feeding method and are associated with higher anxiety status of caregivers.