1/5. Pediatric caustic ingestion and parental cocaine abuse.OBJECTIVE: To report two cases in which toddlers drank a caustic liquid which their parents had been using to prepare free-base and crack cocaine. DESIGN: Case series. RESULTS: Two toddlers presented with first- and second-degree burns of the oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus from caustic ingestion. The first had drunk ammonia from an unmarked clear plastic container the morning after "a party at a friend's house". The second had drunk potassium hydroxide from a clear plastic container which was labelled "pH UP" and had a small "Danger" sign. Both children were treated with intravenous hydration, steroids, antibiotics and analgesics. Fortunately, neither child suffered long-term physical sequelae. When questioned, the parents of both children admitted to using these alkalis to prepare free-base and crack cocaine. Appropriate steps were taken by social services to protect these children from further neglect. DISCUSSION: Despite federal legislation and public education, pediatric caustic ingestion remains a significant problem. These cases suggest that, in certain cases of pediatric caustic ingestion, caregivers should be questioned regarding possible drug abuse. Larger warning labels and further public education might help prevent many cases of pediatric caustic ingestion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Modafinil for drooling in cerebral palsy.Two patients with spastic cerebral palsy recently treated with modafinil at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center child neurology clinic have stopped drooling. This occurred after starting modafinil for spasticity and without other changes in the patients' treatment programs. The decrease in drooling is to a remarkable degree. Both patients had a chronic problem with drooling. One patient has gone from wearing a bib or bandanna, which was constantly wet from drooling to being essentially dry. After starting modafinil, both patients stopped drooling. The parents initially observed decreased drooling at home. Clinic appointment examinations and evaluations at physical therapy confirmed these observations. Better coordination and speech have been noted in each patient. Modafinil improves drooling in at least some patients with spastic cerebral palsy. The decreased drooling is due to improvements noted in swallowing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. An intraoral prosthesis to control drooling in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Many alternatives exist for treating chronic drooling. The treatment of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who complained of chronic drooling and lack of retention of fluids while drinking is presented. In this case, an alternative type of intraoral prosthesis, not previously reported in the dental literature, was used to treat chronic drooling. A lip plumper prosthesis was fabricated to approximate the partially incompetent lips and create an oral seal. The results of the prosthesis therapy for this patient are encouraging both physically and psychologically.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Decreasing drooling with oral motor stimulation in children with multiple disabilities.Many persons with severe and profound disabilities exhibit chronic and excessive drooling, which can have unfavorable effects on their socialization and health. Few treatments to reduce this behavior, however, have been evaluated systematically. In the present investigation, oral motor stimulation was used with 2 children who attended a residential educational facility for students who are blind and who have multiple disabilities. The treatment involved the brushing of the hard palate, the upper and lower gums, the tongue, and the inside of both cheeks at 1-hr intervals during the school day. The efficacy of this approach was demonstrated with a withdrawal experimental design. Because this treatment did not eliminate drooling, vibration was applied to the chin and neck, first in conjunction with the oral motor stimulation and then contingent on the subject's having a dry face. vibration did not have additional therapeutic effects. The results of this study are discussed in relation to the existing literature on modification of drooling and the difficulty of effecting change in the behavior of persons with severe and profound mental and physical disabilities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Appliance therapy for chronic drooling in a patient with mental retardation.Multiple physical impairments are associated with chronic drooling. This case illustrates the use of a simple appliance to align the patient's lip to provide opportunity for a lip seal when swallowing or at rest in a patient with a Class II malocclusion. The appliance resulted in a significant decrease in drooling in this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |