The term good nutritional balance has different connotations for each specialist dealing with a child with cerebral palsy. For the pediatrician, it may mean general medical well-being, certain percentages on a standardized growth chart or nutritional status in terms of operative risk, and the potential for a good postoperative outcome. The nutritionist may think in terms of body composition, energy expenditure, and anthropometric measurements. At the present time, there are no reference norms for the growth of children with cerebral palsy. It is known, however, that the provision of adequate calories will improve the child's nutritional status. It is imperative that the causes of inadequate caloric intake such as vomiting, refusal of food, and spillage be identified early in this population in order to begin early nutritional support.