Oropharyngeal Dysphagia, Gross Motor Skills and Cerebral Palsy

Pediatrics published research on the relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia and gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy. A cross sectional population based study was done in Queensland with children ages 18-36 months with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Using various assessments for oropharyngeal dysphagia and gross motor skill level the following results were reported:
1. Oropharyngeal dysphagia was present in 85% of the children
2. There was a step wise relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia and gross motor function classification level.
3. There was higher odds of having oropharyngeal dysphagia in children who were non ambulatory.

Reference: Katherine A. Benfer, Kelly A. Weir, Kristie L. Bell, Robert S. Ware, Peter S.W. Davies, and Roslyn N. Boyd Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Gross Motor Skills in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatrics peds.2012-3093; published ahead of print April 15, 2013, doi:10.1542/peds.2012-3093