Measuring body composition and energy expenditure in children with severe neurologic impairment and intellectual disability.

Background: Accurate prediction equations for estimating body composition and total energy expenditure (TEE) in children with severe neurologic impairment and intellectual disability are currently lacking.

Objective: The objective was to develop group-specific equations to predict body composition by using skinfold-thickness measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and to predict TEE by using data on mobility, epilepsy, and muscle tone.

Design: Measures of body composition with the use of skinfold-thickness measurements (percentage of body fat) and BIA (total body water) were compared with those from isotope dilution (reference method) by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland and Altman limits of agreement analyses.

Prevalence and clinical presentation of constipation in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy.

Aim: Our aim was to study the prevalence and characteristics of constipation in children with profound multiple disabilities, as data in this area are scarce.

Method: A cross-sectional observational study was performed in specialized day-care centres and schools in the Netherlands. The study included 152 children (81 males, 71 females; mean age 9 y 6 mo, SD 4 y 6 mo).

Energy intake does not correlate with nutritional state in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy and intellectual disability.

Background & Aims: The majority of children with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability has a poor nutritional state compared with their healthy peers. Several studies have found reduced daily energy intake in this population. The hypothesis is tested that low daily energy intake correlates with poor nutritional state.

Validation of skinfold measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis in children with severe cerebral palsy: a review.

Background & Aims: Accurately measuring nutritional status in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) is a challenge. This review seeks to assess the validity of skinfold measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for measuring body composition in children with severe CP.

Methods: We executed a literature search on the validation of both methods in children with severe CP.

A population-based nested case control study on recurrent pneumonias in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy: ethical considerations of the design and representativeness of the study sample.

Background: In children with severe generalized cerebral palsy, pneumonias are a major health issue. Malnutrition, dysphagia, gastro-oesophageal reflux, impaired respiratory function and constipation are hypothesized risk factors. Still, no data are available on the relative contribution of these possible risk factors in the described population.