MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN WITH SNC DISORDERS

Key words: Malnutrition, SNC disorders, Percutaneous enteric gastrostomy (PEG)

The prevalence of deglutition problems in patients with SNC disorders is high, yet often underestimated. About 50% of these patients develop severe malnutrition and suffer from acute respiratory problems. Enteral feeding, through nasogastric tube or percutaneous enteric gastrostomy (PEG), is successful in most cases in ensuring adequate nutrition. However, the efficacy of compensatory techniques such as appropriate posturing during meals should be first assessed before starting artificial feeding.