Nutritional Management and Support in a Patient with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood; it is a heterogeneous and complex clinical condition that causes permanent impairment in motor skills. Cerebral palsy affects not only motor functions but also sensory, cognitive, behavioural, and nutritional aspects, significantly reducing the quality of life of individuals. Complications such as dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, and oromotor coordination problems, in particular, make oral feeding difficult and necessitate enteral nutrition. Malnutrition negatively affects the prognosis of CP and can pave the way for the development of secondary health problems. Therefore, in the follow-up of individuals with CP, medical nutrition therapy should be evaluated with a multidisciplinary approach. In this study, the enteral feeding process in a case of CP with severe motor impairment was addressed, highlighting the importance of nutrition management.