Longitudinal changes in feeding among children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 4 and 7 years

Objective: To examine differences in feeding among children with cerebral palsy (CP) who varied in the severity of their oral motor involvement; to examine longitudinal change in feeding behaviours for different severity groups. Method: Twenty-three children with CP participated (mean age = 4.53 years at the first time point). Feeding data were collected from parent questionnaires at 6 month intervals over 30 months. Results: Significant differences were observed among severity groups for all feeding variables except coughing and choking during meals. Only one variable, coughing, showed significant change over time. Conclusions: Children with CP who had severe oral-motor involvement had marked and pervasive feeding difficulties which showed some fluctuation with time, but generally were stable. Children with CP who did not have oral motor involvement and those who had mild-moderate involvement also showed little-to-no change over time and had fewer problems than those in the severe group.