Reliability, construct validity and usability of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) among Dutch children with Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To assess the interrater reliability, construct validity and usability of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) among Dutch children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) when used by speech and language therapists (SLTs) familiar and unfamiliar with the child's eating and drinking performance and parents.

Methods: Translation was undertaken using the method of Eremenco. Agreement between SLTs and parents when using EDACS was determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and linear weighted Kappa (κW).

Negative effects of submandibular botulinum neurotoxin A injections on oral motor function in children with drooling due to central nervous system disorders.

Aim: The aims of this study were: (1) to determine the incidence and nature of adverse effects on oral motor function after first injections of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) in submandibular glands for excessive drooling in children with central nervous system disorders; and (2) to identify independent predictors of these adverse effects.

Method: A cohort study involved 209 children (123 males, 86 females, aged 4-27y, median 8y 4mo), who received submandibular BoNT-A injections for drooling. Adverse effects were categorized into swallowing, eating, drinking, articulation, and other problems.