Connections Between Cerebral Palsy, Malnutrition and Cognition
Image 1) My father holding my CP diagnosed
younger brother in the NICU
Introduction
Imagine being a new parent and having a doctor tell you your
child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The doctor further explains that the
child may never walk, and cognitive abilities are questionable. This is the
jarring reality that many parents have had to endure. Cerebral Palsy (CP)
affects 2.1 out of every 1000 births worldwide. (Baggaley et al 2025 pg. 2) It
is caused by damage to the brain or irregular development of motor controls
within the brain. Despite numerous safety precautions, some forms of CP are not
preventable, and its impacts affect many aspects of a person’s life. Connections
between cerebral palsy, malnutrition, and cognition have been linked through studies
conducted by research and medical professionals.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of motor impairment disorders that
affect movement. There are three types of cerebral palsy. These are spastic
paralysis, dyskinesia, and ataxia cerebral palsy. CP is often congenital,
mearing it is present prior to, during or shortly after birth. It is caused by
several factors including maternal infections, genetic predisposition, prenatal
head injuries, and hypoxia. (Silva-Araújo et al 2024 pg. 1) Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation,
can occur utero by a host of concerns, included by not limited to,
malformations that block blood supply, severe anemia, preeclampsia, placental
issues, and even stroke. Brain areas most affected by cerebral palsy include
the basil ganglia, motor cortex, and cerebellum. Damage to these areas of the
brain affects a child’s motor abilities by inducing tremors, involuntary movements
and postural instability.
Cerebral Palsy and Nutrition
Because cerebral palsy is a motor impairment, some movement
is either impaired or entirely nonfunctional. This loss of motor movement means
the neurons that embed themselves in skeletal muscle are either not functioning
properly or are not sufficiently myelinated to send and receive the tiny
electrical signals from the brain. Myelination is the development of myelin sheaths
that insulate nerve fibers and allow brain transmissions to travel faster along
neural pathways. In 2011, a study sought to find a solution to the problem of demyelination
of neurons in children with CP. The study focused on levels of folate and
vitamin B12. Both of these are vital for the myelinization cycle and the synthesis
of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM is essential in the development of myelin sheaths.
The study revealed that children with CP, even those with a gastrostomy feeding
tube, were often severely malnourished. Researchers concluded that because muscle
movement was compromised, those children may not have received adequate
nutrition to allow DNA and neurons to be properly myelinated. (Schoendorfer et
al 2012 pg. 768-769) Although this study found that children with CP can have
difficulty obtaining sufficient nutrients, there are proven therapy programs
that assist in developing skills and abilities necessary for simple movements.
These include large and small movements at joints such hands, feet, wrists,
ankles, and the jaw.
Image 2) Picture
of the myelin sheath on the axon of a neuron
Cerebral Palsy and Cognitive Ability
While many often connect cerebral palsy with cognitive issues,
that is not always the case. Cerebral palsy is a motor impairment disorder that
has very little connection with cognitive function. Alternatively, studies connecting
malnutrition and reduced cognitive function exist. Researchers in India found
that undernourished children were more likely to earn significantly lower scores
on intelligence tests. Researchers further explained that during the first two
years of life, children experience rapid brain growth. When coupled with
malnutrition, brain growth can be stunted and negatively impact development. (Das
et al 2023 pg.951) Effects of malnutrition can be seen in utero, but local and governmental
programs such as food banks and Women and Infant Children (WIC) strive to provide
adequate nutrition. Cerebral palsy patients who experience compromised muscle
movement are at risk for malnutrition. When cerebral palsy patients suffer
malnutrition, cognitive ability can be compromised.
Parents of Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed Children
While having a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy can be
extremely difficult for parents, support programs have been beneficial to some.
Researchers asked parents to reflect on their experience raising a child with
CP and found that most focused on the macrosystem for their child. The
macrosystem refers to cultural and societal norms, nationality, and even the
legal system that influence a person’s development. Parents in this study often
felt there were insufficient community support systems readily available to assist
them and their child to be successful. Conversely, some parents were satisfied
with the support options available and credited those programs with their child’s
success. Parents of CP children also experience relationship issues. Marital
strain and social isolation are common among this population of parents. (Reid
et al 2011 pg.171-177)
Conclusion
While the diagnosis of cerebral palsy can be jarring to receive,
it does not have to be devastating to the parents or child. Numerous medical
professionals and researchers continue to work tirelessly to learn new and
effective ways to address issues such as motor impairment, nutritional
deficits, and cognitive dysfunction. In this process, parents are not
overlooked. Their sacrifice and dedication are essential in mitigating the
challenges their children face. It is important that parents, children and the
medical community continue to hold on to hope as experimental treatments and
therapies are discovered and implemented in hospitals and clinics around the
world.
By Aden Holder
I am a Nursing student at Franciscan University in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana. I am hoping to earn a BSN and RN while also pursuing a minor
in psychology. Cerebral palsy is a condition near to my heart because my little
brother was diagnosed when he was six months old. My parents were unprepared to
receive the neurologist’s opinion that their tiny preemie would never walk or
live independently. Despite feeling shocked and defeated by the diagnosis, my
mother was committed to limiting the negative effects CP would have on his
life. Today, he plays varsity baseball, maintains a 3.5 GPA, and has dreams of
becoming a lawyer. Cerebral palsy has presented challenges in his life, but he
never allowed them to define him. No one would ever look at him today and know
he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Final Thoughts
When using blogger for this assignment I found it user
friendly and easy to navigate.
Works Cited
Schoendorfer, N. C., Obeid, R., Moxon-Lester, L., Sharp, N.,
Vitetta, L., Boyd, R. N., & Davies, P. S. W. (2012). Methylation capacity
in children with severe cerebral palsy. European Journal of Clinical
Investigation, 42(7), 768–776.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.franu.edu/10.1111/j.1365-2362.2011.02644.x
Das, B. K., & Kaushik, J. S. (2023). Cognitive
Development in Children With Malnutrition: A 50-Year Tale. Indian Pediatrics,
60(11), 951–953.
Reid, A., Imrie, H., Brouwer, E., Clutton, S., Evans, J.,
Russell, D., & Bartlett, D. (2011). “If I Knew Then What I Know Now”:
Parents’ Reflections on Raising a Child with Cerebral Palsy. Physical &
Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 31(2), 169–183. https://doi-org.ezproxy.franu.edu/10.3109/01942638.2010.540311
Baggaley, J., Seiboth, C., Rapley, T., & Basu, A.
(2025). From eligibility to diagnosis: candidacy and the complex journey of
cerebral palsy diagnosis within primary care. BMC Pediatrics, 25(1),
112. https://doi-org.ezproxy.franu.edu/10.1186/s12887-025-05455-5
Silva-Araújo, E. R., Toscano, A. E., Gouveia, H. J. C. B.,
& Manhães-de-Castro, R. (2024). Riboflavin as a potential new therapeutic
agent for perinatal encephalopathies caused by cerebral oxygen deprivation. Nutritional
Neuroscience, 1–4. https://doi-org.ezproxy.franu.edu/10.1080/1028415x.2024.2415087
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