Children with
cerebral palsy (CP) who have problems eating or who
are not gaining weight and developing as other children their age may need
evaluation by a registered dietitian. These health professionals can help
determine the specific reason for the nutritional imbalance. Typically, in
people with CP, the problem relates to:
- An inability to chew because their teeth and jaws
do not fit together correctly.
- An inability to control their mouth
muscles to chew and swallow food properly.
- Pain or unusual
feelings in their mouths and jaws when eating.
A registered dietitian can offer suggestions for:
- Changes in a person's diet.
- Ways to
prepare food to make it easier to chew and swallow.
- Ways to feed a
person with cerebral palsy.
- Vitamins and other supplements that may
be needed.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
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| Last Revised | September 30, 2010 |
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