CHILDREN LIVING WITH A NEURODISABILITY
Neurological conditions can often impact a child’s ability to communicate, memory, movements, senses, hearing, thinking and emotions.1 Children with a neurodisability often experience feeding difficulties, such as difficulty swallowing or painful reflux and are also likely to experience digestive problems, such as constipation, meaning they often either have or are at risk of malnutrition.2
This page provides more information about the importance of nutrition for children living with a neurodisability and what nutrition support might be available for your child if they have or are at risk of malnutrition.
A neurodisability is anything which affects the brain or central nervous system (CNS). This may include genetic conditions and those which might occur from an infection or illness. Common neurological conditions in children include:3,4
Children with a neurodisability are often at increased risk of malnutrition.2 Malnutrition is when the body can’t get the right amount of energy and/or nutrients it needs; sometimes, it might get too much (overnutrition), or sometimes, it might get too little (undernutrition).5
There may be many reasons for this, depending on the type of neurodisability, but the main causes of malnutrition include:2
Feeding problems
Painful reflux
Digestive issues such as constipation, which can cause stomach pain and sickness
Difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
Increased energy requirements
Difficulties communicating hunger or thirst
Nutritional status can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of children living with a neurodisability. Malnutrition can impact growth, wound healing and can lead to increased stiffness of the muscles and irritability.2
The right nutrition is important to support healthy growth and development.2 If your child has a neurodisability, nutritional support is likely to be an essential part of their care due to their complex and challenging needs.
Depending on your child’s neurodisability, their healthcare professional may recommend nutritional support in the form of Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) if they believe your child has, or is at risk of developing, malnutrition in order to help provide the calories, protein and other important vitamins and minerals that their body needs.
If your child is unable to eat safely, for example, if they have difficulty swallowing2, then these supplements may be recommended as a tube feed.
Spotting the signs of malnutrition may not always be easy if your child has a neurodisability, but some of the things to look out for include:5
Not growing or putting on weight at the expected rate (sometimes known as faltering growth)
Changes in their behaviour, such as being irritable, moving slowly or becoming anxious
Having low energy or feeling tired more easily than normal
It is important to look out for any signs of malnutrition, digestive problems, or feeding difficulties in your child and speak to your healthcare professional (e.g. GP or nurse) as soon as possible if you notice anything concerning.
References:
1. Child Neurology Foundation, 2024. What is a Neurological Disorder. Available online: https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/what-is-a-neurologic-disorder/ Last accessed February 2024.
2. Penagini F et al. Nutrients 2015;7(11):9400-15.
3. Akodu SO et al. Sudan J Paediatr 2022;22(1):83-89.
4. Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 2024. Conditions treated by the neurology department. Available online: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/neurology-information-parents-and-visitors/conditions-we-treat/ Last accessed February 2024.
5. NHS 2023. Malnutrition. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition Last accessed February 2024.
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ENSURE PLUS
1 x 220 ml
Flavor: Apple
1,5 kcal / ml
Nutrition Information
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