Prevalence of Dysphagia in Children with Cerebral Palsy”: A Multicenter Study in Lahore

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy.

Materials and Methods: A sample of 105 children with cerebral palsy age between four and sixteen years, were selected from cerebral palsy centers in Lahore. Out of these children almost all were with spastic cerebral palsy. Data was collected by using a questionnaire filled by the caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. This questionnaire constitutes questions regarding swallowing difficulty of CP child and their eating & feeding patterns to determine the prevalence of dysphagia.

Results: Result indicated that out of 105 children’s caregiver with cerebral palsy 36(34.3%) responded affirmatively that their children have swallowing difficulty and 69(65.7%) responded negatively that their children have no swallowing difficulty.

Conclusion: The findings suggested that prevalence of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy is 34.3% in Lahore city.