Clinical prevalence of drooling in infant cerebral palsy

• Mariana Carolina Morales Chávez ^[1] ; Zacy Carola Nualart Grollmus ^[1] ; Francisco Javier Silvestre Donat ^[1]
  1. [1] Hospital Dr. Peset
• Localización: Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal. Ed. inglesa, ISSN-e 1698-6946, Vol. 13, Nº. 1 (January), 2008
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of drooling in infant cerebral palsy (ICP) and analyze the possible surgical, pharmacological, myofunctional and novel alternative approaches to treatment of this disorder.

    Methods: A clinical study is made of a group of patients with ICP (cohort) and aged between 4 and 34 years, visiting a dental clinic for disabled patients. The classification of Thomas-Stonell and Greenberg was used to assess the presence and severity of drooling.

    Results: Of the total of 50 patients evaluated (52% males and 48% females), 58% presented drooling (mild in 44.4% and moderate to severe in 27.7%).

    Conclusion: Over half of the patients with ICP presented drooling. Effective options are therefore needed for the treatment of this problem, which poses a series of negative effects for both patients and their care givers.