Norderyd J, Graf J, Marcusson A, Nilsson K, Sjöstrand E, Steinwall G, Ärleskog E, Bågesund M. Sublingual administration of atropine eyedrops in children with excessive drooling - a pilot study.
Int J Paediatr Dent 2017;
27:22-29. [PMID:
26708211 PMCID:
PMC5324542 DOI:
10.1111/ipd.12219]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Drooling can be a severe disability and have high impact on daily life. Reversible treatment is preferable.
AIM
To analyse whether sublingual administration of atropine eyedrops is a useful reversible treatment option for severe drooling in children with disabilities.
DESIGN
The study had a prospective, single-system research design. The participants served as their own controls. The study period was 3 weeks without treatment, 4 weeks with atropine eyedrop solution 10 mg/mL one drop a day followed by 4 weeks of one drop twice a day. Parents' rating of their child's drooling was assessed on a 100-mm VAS, and unstimulated salivary secretion rate measurement was performed together with notations about side effects and practicality.
RESULTS
Parents' VAS assessment of drooling decreased from a median (range) of 74 (40-98) at baseline to 48 (18-88) (P = 0.05) and 32 (12-85) (P = 0.004) after 4 weeks of atropine once a day and another 4 weeks of atropine twice a day, respectively (n = 11). Unstimulated salivary secretion rates decreased from baseline to end of study (P = 0.032). Several parents complained about difficult administration. No irreversible side effects were noted.
CONCLUSIONS
Sublingual atropine eyedrops may be an alternative for treatment of severe drooling in children with disabilities.
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