Influence of the oral mucosa condition on the nutritional status of children with neurological impairment in Varna

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of the causes for malnutrition in children with neurological impairment (NI) in Bulgaria is challenging due to the heterogeneity of the leading diagnosis. In the case of soreness of the oral mucosa due to inflammatory processes or mechanical irritation, children experience discomfort and this disrupts the normal course of chewing. So far, no association between undernutrition in children with NI and the condition of the oral mucosa has been examined in Bulgaria.Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the condition of the oral mucosa and its relationship to the nutritional status of children with NI. Materials and Methods: About 54 patients with NI were recruited for the study, which took place between April and October 2017. Twenty-five of them lived in family settings and 29 in residential care (RC) in Var-