A importância da alimentação em paralisia cerebral

• Autor(a) principal: Sampaio, J.
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Campos, M.A., Afonso, Cláudia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/handle/10216/83049
• topic: Ciências da Saúde, Ciências médicas e da saúde; Health sciences, Medical and Health sciences

One of the most recent definitions of cerebral palsy describes it as a group of permanent changes, but not unchangeable, of themovement and posture, causing limitations in activity, that are attributed to non-progressive damage occurring in the immaturebrain and under development.In this population feeding difficulties are common. These can result from oral-motor disability (chewing and/or swallowing difficulties),dysphagia and sensory impairment, with or without behavioral disorders. These feeding difficulties may also be associatedwith common health problems, such as aspiration and lung infections, gastroesophageal reflux and constipation. Low water intake,or even dehydration, the increase in the time to take a meal and insufficient intake (which can lead to low weight) are otherconsequences of feeding problems. On other hand, there are situations where it is common overweight for various reasons (forexample, sedentary lifestyle).Dietary/nutritional intervention is essential to improve the individuals quality of life. It is also primordial that caregivers are providedwith all the information and motivation to address their specificities, so that the meals are as pleasant and safe as possible. In thispopulation, food can be our greatest ally.