PURPOSE: To verify the evolution in nutrition and clinical stability of children with spastic tetraparetic cerebral palsy, after therapeutic intervention. METHODS: Data from before and after the therapeutic process were raised from the medical records of 36 children with spastic cerebral palsy, regarding classification of functional oral intake (FOIS scale) and degree of dysphagia, food consistency, and suggestive signs of penetration and/or tracheal aspiration. RESULTS: Most subjects were fed with special preparation, before and after intervention, with restrictions to solid and liquid foods in the second instance. It was observed decrease of the severity of dysphagia, reduction of the incidence of bronchopneumonia and pulmonary hypersecretion, weight increase, and reduction of suggestive signs of penetration and/or tracheal aspiration, except for refusal of food and cyanosis. CONCLUSION: Speech-language intervention in dysphagia, along with the work of a multidisciplinary team, promotes better functionality of swallowing and reduction of suggestive signs of penetration and/or tracheal aspiration, as well as improved clinical stability.
Cerebral palsy; Deglutition disorders; Speech therapy; Pneumonia; Feeding
