Feeding tube use is associated with severe scoliosis in patients with cerebral palsy and limited ambulatory ability.

Purpose: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder in childhood. Scoliosis is a common complication of CP that can reach clinically severe levels, but predictors for scoliosis in CP are not well understood. Some variables identified in the literature involve the severity of the brain injury and the presence of hip deformity. We aimed to identify associations with developing severe scoliosis in a prospective cohort of patients with cerebral palsy at higher risk for severe curve progression.

Methods: This study reviewed a prospectively collected database at a tertiary children's hospital. We evaluated a panel of potential associations with severe scoliosis-including age, sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) class, history of hip surgery, epilepsy, and feeding tube presence-in a population of children with limited ambulatory ability defined as GMFCS level IV or V CP. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression with stepwise selection was used for analysis.

Results: Descriptive analysis showed that female sex, higher GMFCS class, history of hip surgery, non-upright seating, pelvic obliquity, presence of epilepsy, and presence of a feeding tube were associated with an increased risk for scoliosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of a feeding tube was associated with severe scoliosis even when controlling for GMFCS and age.

Conclusions: Feeding tube use may stratify risk for severe scoliosis progression in patients with GMFCS IV or V CP.