A Survey of Drooling in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of drooling in children with cerebral palsy and to determine their parents' needs for adequate treatment. Method: 107 children with cerebral palsy who attended to the pediatric rehabilitational treatment center were investigated whether they had the problems related with drooling. For the children with drooling, the severity of drooling was measured with subjective and objective measurement tools, and the types of cerebral palsy were classified. The parents answered to the questionnaire for several problems caused by drooling and whether they wanted treatment for drooling or not. Results: 25 (23%) out of 107 children with cerebral palsy had drooling problems. 16 (64%) of them were spastic quadriplegic, which was the most common type. Parents of 17 (68%) drooling children had much uncomfortable feeling to drooling, and of 21 (84%) parents wanted treatment. In 21 (84%) children, their therapists felt difficulties during their treatment sessions due to drooling. Conclusion: 23% of children with cerebral palsy in rehabilitation clinic had drooling and most of their parents wanted treatment for drooling. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 535-540)