Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between body mass index (BMI) and functional level and health-related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Material and Methods:Two hundred seventy-eight children with CP aged between 2 and 18 years were included in the study. The sociodemographic properties of the children were recorded. Their functional independence levels were assessed with WeeFIM and their health-related quality of life levels were assessed with the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form (PF-50). Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Abant İzzet Baysal University Medical Faculty for this study (Number: 2008/100-77).Results: When classified by body mass index, 26.3% of the children had a normal body weight, 5.4% were overweight, 11.5% were obese and 56.8% had a low body weight. The rate of low body weight was higher in children with moderate and severe CP (52.7% and 53.8%, respectively), while the rate of obesity was higher in children with mild CP who could walk (7.1%). A significant difference was found in children with CP with a normal body weight, overweight children with CP, obese children with CP and children with CP with a low body weight in terms of the total WeeFIM score and the variables of quality of life including physical functionality and role/social limitations because of physical health (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between WeeFIM and BMI and the subdimensions of role/social limitations because of emotional or behavioral difficulties, pain and discomfort and self-esteem (p<0.05). Conclusions:Our results showed that BMI affected functional independence and health-related quality of life in children with CP and this was more prominent in children who had severe CP and low BMI values. More studies are needed in this area. (Türk Ped Arş 2014; 49: 130-7)

ÖzetGiriş: Bu çalışmanın amacı, serebral palsili (SP) çocuklarda beslenme problemlerinin belirlenmesi ve beslenme problemlerinin büyüme üzerine etkisinin incelenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 2-18 yaş arasında, serebral palsi tanısı konmuş 278 çocuk dahil edildi. Değerlendirme kapsamında, çocukların sosyo-demografik ve klinik özellikleri kaydedildi, beslenme problemleri sorgulandı. Motor fonksiyon seviyeleri ve antropometrik ölçümler (vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, kol bölgesi ve uyluk bölgesi çevre ölçümü, üst ekstremite uzunluğu (kol ve önkol uzunluğu olarak), tibial uzunluk ölçümleri, triceps ve subskapular bölge skinfold ölçümleri) yapıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen çocukların yaş ortalaması 8,50±4,49 yıl idi. Çalışmaya dahil edilen çocukların 130'unda (%46,8) beslenme problemi varken, 148'inde (%53,2) beslenme problemi yoktu. Orta ve şiddetli etkilenimli SP'li çocuklarda beslenme problemi hafif etkilenimli çocuklara oranla daha fazla idi (p<0,05). Çocuklarda sıklıkla gözlenen beslenme problemleri yutma güçlüğü, kusma, aspirasyon, çiğneme güçlüğü, salya ve yiyecekleri ağızda tutamamaydı. Beslenme problemi olan ve beslenme problemi olmayan çocuklarda boy, kilo, kol ve uyluk bölgesinden elde edilen çevre ölçüm değerleri, kol, ön kol ve tibial uzunluk ölçüm değerleri, triceps ve subskapular bölge deri altı yağ ölçüm değerleri arasında önemli bir fark bulundu (p<0,05). Sonuç: Peryodik antropometrik ölçümler serebral palsili çocuklarda beslenme problemleri ve beslenme geriliklerinin erken dönemden itibaren belirlenmesi açısından önemli olup, rehabilitasyon sürecinde özellikle üzerinde durulması gereken önemli parametrelerdendir. (Gün cel Pe di at ri 2014;2:73-80) Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine of feeding problems and the effect of feeding problems on growth in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods:The study was included 278 children who have cerebral palsy. Socio-demographic data and clinical characteristics and feeding problems of the children were recorded. Gross motor function levels and anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, knee length, upper arm length, mid upper arm area, arm and thigh circumferences, arm and forearm length, tibia length, triceps and subscapular skin-fold thickness) were taken. Results: Average age of the children was 8.50±4.49 years. 130 (46.8%) of the children have had feeding problems and 148 (53.2%) have had no feeding problems. Feeding problems were more in children with moderate and severe disability then mild disability (p<0.05). Most common feeding problems were Ya zış ma Ad re si/Ad dress for Cor res pon den ce:Anah tar ke li me ler Serebral palsi, büyüme, beslenme problemleri, sağlık