Current Research and Advances in Addressing Drooling in Children

Chronic drooling in paediatrics is seen in a variety of clinical scenarios. This chapter deals with the impact of different assessment methods and the management algorithms as seen in children with impaired oral competence or swallowing ability where research and clinical innovation has been applied. It examines specifically children with drooling caused by conditions such as facial palsy, macroglossia and imaging confirmed swallowing impairment. The research experience in managing differing conditions can be brought together to understand clinically significant drooling and what options are potentially available. Translational research and increased understanding of oral or pharyngolaryngeal innervation and neuromuscular motor units may allow clinical application toward improving the swallowing apparatus that minimises the pathological consequences of anterior and posterior drooling.