Author: Jonerius PH, Rotteveel JJ, Van den Hoogen F, et al.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics (2001) 160(8),pages 509-512
In this article, the authors report on their use of Botulinum Toxin A (Botox (R)) to temporarily treat drooling in 3 children with cerebral palsy.
The children who were selected:
* had severe drooling (their clothing, hands, tray, and other objects were always wet with drool)
* had not received any recent Botulinum Toxin A injections
* were not taking any other drugs for drooling
* had not had any surgery to decrease drooling
and
*had no allergies to botulinum toxin A
After the children were put to sleep with general anesthesia, the doctors used ultrasound x-rays to locate the saliva producing submandibular glands in each child's mouth. Botulinum Toxin was then injected into the glands on both sides
of the mouth.
Measurements of drooling were made before by the parents and a speech therapist both before and for 4 months after the injections.
Results showed that in all three cases, the amount of drooling substantially decreased 2 weeks after the injections and, in two out of the three cases, stayed reduced for at least 4 more months.
The authors felt that these results were promising and that more studies should be done to investigate the use of Botulinum Toxin A in the treatment of drooling.
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