Treatment of drooling with sublingual atropine sulfate in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

ABSTRACT

Atropine sulfate blocks the muscarinic receptors in the salivary glands and leads to reduced saliva production. There are no published studies about its use in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective

To report the effect of sublingual atropine sulfate to treat drooling in children with cerebral palsy by comparing the results of the Drooling Impact Scale in a non-controlled open clinical trial.

Results

Twenty-five children were assessed. The difference in the mean scores of the pre- and post-treatment scales reached statistical significance. There was a low frequency of side effects compared to studies with other anticholinergics.

Conclusion

The use of sublingual atropine sulfate seems to be safe and there is a reduction in the Drooling Impact Scale score, which suggests efficacy in the treatment of drooling in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Our results should be replicated in randomized, placebo-controlled studies with larger numbers of participants.

RESUMO

O sulfato de atropina bloqueia os receptores muscarínicos nas glândulas salivares reduzindo a produção de saliva. Não há estudos publicados relativos ao seu uso para tratamento da sialorreia em crianças com paralisia cerebral.

Objetivo

Relatar o efeito do sulfato de atropina sublingual no tratamento da sialorreia em crianças com paralisia cerebral a partir da comparação dos resultados da Drooling Impact Scale em ensaio clínico aberto não controlado.

Resultados

Vinte e cinco crianças foram avaliadas. A diferença das pontuações médias nas escalas pré-tratamento e pós-tratamento atingiu significância estatística. Houve baixa frequência de efeitos colaterais em relação a outros anticolinérgicos.

Conclusão

O uso de sulfato de atropina sublingual parece ser seguro e está relacionado a uma redução na pontuação da Drooling Impact Scale, o que sugere eficácia no tratamento da sialorreia em crianças com paralisia cerebral. Nossos resultados devem ser replicados em estudos randomizados, placebo controlados, com maior número de participantes.

cerebral palsy - sialorrhea - child - drug therapy - atropine

paralisia cerebral - sialorreia - criança - quimioterapia - atropina

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