Cerebral palsy

===Eating===
Due to sensory and motor impairments, those with CP may have difficulty preparing food, holding utensils, or chewing and swallowing. An infant with CP may not be able to suck, swallow or chew.<ref name="Klingels2010" /> [[Gastro-oesophageal reflux]] is common in children with CP.<ref name="auto" /> Children with CP may have too little or too much sensitivity around and in the mouth.<ref name="Klingels2010" /> Poor balance when sitting, lack of control of the head, mouth, and trunk, not being able to bend the hips enough to allow the arms to stretch forward to reach and grasp food or utensils, and lack of [[hand-eye coordination]] can make self-feeding difficult.<ref name="oxfordnutritionchapter" /> Feeding difficulties are related to higher GMFCS levels.<ref name="auto" /> Dental problems can also contribute to difficulties with eating.<ref name="oxfordnutritionchapter" /> [[Pneumonia]] is also common where eating difficulties exist, caused by undetected aspiration of food or liquids.<ref name="auto" /> Fine finger dexterity, like that needed for picking up a utensil, is more frequently impaired than gross manual dexterity, like that needed for spooning food onto a plate.<ref name="Donkervoort2007" />{{Primary source inline|date=February 2014}} Grip strength impairments are less common.<ref name="Donkervoort2007" />{{Primary source inline|date=February 2014}}

Children with severe cerebral palsy, particularly with [[oropharyngeal]] issues, are at risk of [[Undernutrition in children|undernutrition]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bell KL, Samson-Fang L | title = Nutritional management of children with cerebral palsy | journal = European Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 67 | issue = Suppl 2 | pages = S13–S16 | date = December 2013 | pmid = 24301003 | doi = 10.1038/ejcn.2013.225 | doi-access = free }}</ref> [[Triceps skin fold]] tests have been found to be a very reliable indicator of [[malnutrition]] in children with cerebral palsy.<ref name="oxfordnutritionchapter" /> Due to challenges in feeding, evidence has shown that children with cerebral palsy are at a greater risk of malnutrition.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Donkor |first1=Claudia Mary |last2=Lee |first2=Jackie |last3=Lelijveld |first3=Natasha |last4=Adams |first4=Melanie |last5=Baltussen |first5=Marjolein Meande |last6=Nyante |first6=Gifty Gyamah |last7=Kerac |first7=Marko |last8=Polack |first8=Sarah |last9=Zuurmond |first9=Maria |date=2018-11-15 |title=Improving nutritional status of children with Cerebral palsy: a qualitative study of caregiver experiences and community-based training in Ghana |journal=Food Science & Nutrition |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=35–43 |doi=10.1002/fsn3.788 |issn=2048-7177 |pmc=6341142 |pmid=30680157}}</ref>