Aim To determine the association between gross motor function and nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy (CP) residing in an urban area in a developing country. Method We conducted a cross‐sectional study in 177 children (ages 2–12y, 59.3% male) with a diagnosis of CP who were attending rehabilitation centres in Bucaramanga, Colombia (2012–2013). A physiotherapist evaluated patients using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, levels I to V). Nutritional status was evaluated by nutritionists and classified according to the World Health Organization growth charts. We used linear and multinomial logistic regression methods to determine the associations. Results There were 39.5%, 6.8%, 5.6%, 16.4%, and 31.6% patients classified in levels I to V respectively. The mean adjusted differences for weight‐for‐age, height‐for‐age, BMI‐for‐age, and height‐for‐weight z‐scores were significantly larger for children classified in levels II to V compared with those in level I. The children classified in levels IV and V were more likely to have malnutrition (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.27–14.0) and stunting (OR 8.42; 95% CI 2.90–24.4) than those classified in GMFCS levels I to III. Interpretation Stunting and malnutrition are prevalent conditions among paediatric patients with CP, and both are directly associated with higher levels of gross motor dysfunction.

The Master of Health Services Management at the Universidad de Santander requested and obtained the official registration in 2010 in the modality of professional master’s degree. In this sense, the program seeks the advanced development of skills that allow the solution to problems or the analysis of particular situations of a disciplinary and interdisciplinary nature, through the assimilation and appropriation of knowledge, methodology and scientific, technological or Artistic development; its degree work requirement is oriented to applied research or to develop a case study.

Palabras clave: Personas con discapacidad; parálisis cerebral; accesibilidad a los servicios de salud; rehabilitación; salud del niño (Fuente: DeCS BIREME).

El Encuentro Internacional de Investigación y Experiencias en Discapacidad es un evento bienal realizado por la Universidad de Santander – UDES desde el año 2012, el cual, surge como un espacio para compartir las experiencias y los trabajos de investigación que vienen desarrollando profesionales y estudiantes de diferentes disciplinas que trabajan e investigan los temas relacionados con inclusión de las personas con discapacidad (PCD) en temas como salud, educación, trabajo y comunidad. Así mismo, pretende facilitar un encuentro de participación abierto a personas naturales, entes gubernamentales y no gubernamentales para compartir experiencias innovadoras facilitando el intercambio y comunicación en el tema de discapacidad en los contextos local, nacional e internacional.