Resumen de Clinical prevalence of drooling in infant cerebral palsy

Mariana Carolina Morales Chávez, Zacy Carola Nualart Grollmus, Francisco Javier Silvestre Donat

• 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.