Every day, we swallow thousands of times without even noticing; to eat, drink, or clear saliva. For many children with a neurological disorders, this is far from self-evident. Almost half of them experience chronic drooling, and some regularly choke on their own saliva. This affects not only their health, but also their confidence and participation in daily life. This thesis shows that medication and injections can be effective treatments for drooling, but may also cause side effects. By better predicting which children benefit from which treatment – and by focussing on what matters most to the child and their family – care can become increasingly personalised. The key message is clear: there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best care for children with saliva control problems is truly tailored care, adapted to the needs, wishes and possibilities of each child and family.
Lynn Orriëns (1996) obtained her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Radboud University in 2020. Subsequently, she started her PhD research at the Department of Paediatrics at Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), as part of the multidisciplinary saliva control team. She is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in paediatric neuromuscular diseases at the Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital.