Feeding and Swallowing Impairment in Children with Stroke and Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Abstract:
This review looked at kids who have had a stroke or who have one sided cerebral palsy caused by a stroke or other type of brain injury that have trouble eating and swallowing. It also looked at how these problems affect their health and their caregivers. Researchers searched six online databases and eight journals for studies up to November 2017. Two people reviewed the studies separately and talked through any disagreements. They also checked the quality of the studies and summarized the information they found.

Out of 1,660 articles they reviewed, only five matched what they were looking for — three about children with stroke and two about children with CP. The way each study described eating and swallowing problems was different, and many didn’t explain clearly when or how they checked for these issues. The number of children with eating or swallowing problems ranged broadly from 24% to 89%. Only one study discussed health problems caused by these issues, and none talked about how it affected caregivers.

Overall, this review shows that many kids with stroke or CP have trouble eating and swallowing. But due to differences between the studies, it’s still hard to know exactly how common these problems are or how serious the effects can be. More research using clear and consistent methods is needed to better understand and treat these problems.

Summary:
When children have trouble eating and swallowing (dysphagia), it may affect their growth, nutrition, breathing, and overall health. These challenges are common in children who have had a stroke or have cerebral palsy (CP), but does not necessarily mean the child will go on to have these conditions. In children who have had a stroke or have CP, these problems are common but not well studied. More research is needed to understand how often these issues happen and how they affect children and their caregivers. Doctors also need better tools to help find and treat these problems early on.

Reference:

Sherman, V., Greco, E., Moharir, M., Beal, D., Thorpe, K., & Martino, R. (2019). Feeding and swallowing impairment in children with stroke and unilateral cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61(7), 761–769. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14094