Are Gut Diversity and Composition Associated with Malnutrition in Children with Cerebral Palsy?
| Author | XiaoYu Shen | en |
| Author | Qiang Luo | en |
| Author | Xue Luo | en |
| Author | CuiHua Dan | en |
| Author | Dan Wang | en |
| Author | JianGuo Zhong | en |
| Orcid | JianGuo Zhong [0009-0009-7599-3864] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-09-30 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Malnutrition is common among children with cerebral palsy (CP) and may be influenced by feeding difficulties, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and other clinical factors. Emerging evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota may be associated with malnutrition in childhood; however, the gut microbial characteristics of children with both CP and malnutrition remain poorly understood. Objectives: To characterize the gut microbiota composition in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and comorbid malnutrition, and to examine associations between microbial diversity and nutritional status. Methods: This prospective case–control study included 30 children with CP and malnutrition and 30 age-matched healthy children. The fecal microbiota was analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, differential taxa, and associations with nutritional indicators were assessed. Results: Children with CP and malnutrition had fewer observed operational taxonomic units than controls (60.07 ± 19.59 vs. 167.10 ± 36.17, P < 0.001) and lower Chao, ACE, Shannon, Simpson, and PD_whole_tree indices (all P < 0.001). Beta diversity differed between groups (permutational multivariate analysis of variance: pseudo-F = 3.46, R2 = 0.056, P = 0.001). Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides were relatively enriched in the CP-malnutrition group, whereas Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Faecalibacterium, and Parabacteroides were enriched in controls. The Chao and PD_whole_tree indices showed nominally positive correlations with subscapular skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, and BMI. In exploratory multivariable analyses, Gross Motor Function Classification System level was negatively associated with Chao richness, whereas BMI was positively associated. Conclusions: Children with CP and malnutrition exhibited lower gut microbial richness and diversity and an altered microbial composition compared with age-matched healthy children. These findings suggest an association between gut microbial characteristics and nutritional status but do not establish causality. Larger longitudinal studies with appropriate comparison groups and adjustment for clinical and dietary confounders are needed. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-169118 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/169118 | en |
| Keyword | Cerebral Palsy | en |
| Keyword | Malnutrition | en |
| Keyword | Gut Microbiota | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Are Gut Diversity and Composition Associated with Malnutrition in Children with Cerebral Palsy? | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
Files
Original bundle
1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
- Name:
- jjm-19-9-169118-publish-pdf.pdf
- Size:
- 697.18 KB
- Format:
- Adobe Portable Document Format
- Description:
- Article/s PDF