The nutritional assessment of children with chronic neurological diseases presents several difficulties.

  • On one hand, it is common for the growth curves of the general population not to be applicable, as occurs for example in children with acquired encephalopathies (cerebral palsy), or in children affected by genetic diseases that affect growth. Specific growth curves exist for these situations, such as growth curves based on GMFCS and type of nutrition (PEG or oral nutrition) for cerebral palsy, or specific growth curves for Down syndrome. Both are available in the nutritional application of the SEGHNP.
  • On the other hand, in children with severe neurological disease presenting with structured muscle contractures, it is not possible to measure height, which is why it must be inferred from another anthropometric parameter (tibial length). The formulas for its calculation are also available in the nutritional application of the SEGHNP.

Qualitative problems related to nutrition:

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