Management of Drooling:
- Usually resolves by 18 months old
- Abnormal if persist beyond 4 years old
- Common in children with neurological problems (10-58% in children with cerebral palsy)
Problems:
- Physical morbidities - skin excoriation, dehydration
- Social morbidities (participation restriction) - psychosocial issues (isolation, embarrassment, damage to assistive devices)
- Caregiver - Increased burden of care
Reasons for drooling:
- Poor postural control (eg head control)
- Poor lip and tongue control (eg constant open mouth posture, constant tongue thrusting)
- Swallowing problem (eg abnormal gag reflex)
- Abnormal intra-oral sensation (diminished or hypersensitive)
Treatment options:
- Medication (oral or local)
- Therapy training
- Surgery
- Botulinium toxin ( BTX ) injection
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