Table 1 Quantification of xerostomia as a side effect according to WHO
From: Prevalence of oral manifestations in children and adolescents with cancer submitted to chemotherapy
Degrees of severity of xerostomia | |
|---|---|
Grade 1 | Symptomatic (thick or sparse saliva) without significant dietary changes, saliva production unstimulated >0.2 ml/min.; |
Grade 2 | Symptomatic with significant changes in the oral intake (copious intake of water or use of other lubricants, limited to purees diet and/or soft and wet food); unstimulated saliva production from 0.1 to 0.2 ml/min.; |
Grade 3 | Symptoms leading to inability to feed orally; need for administration of intravenous fluids, enteral or parenteral nutrition; unstimulated saliva flow <0,1 ml/min. |