Objective: This case report discusses the evolution of an infant with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) under chiropractic care. It is the hope of the author to encourage more research about the role of chiropractic as a safe alternative in the resolution of GERD in infants.
Method: A literature search on Google Scholar and PubMed was done to find recent and relevant papers using the keywords infant, GERD, regurgitation and chiropractic.
Clinical features: A 4-month-old female presented for chiropractic care for recurrent regurgitation after feeding. The infant was exclusively breastfed. She was averse to being carried and her complaints included frequent post prandial regurgitation, difficult eructation, interrupted sleep, choking and rumination, wheezing during sleep, fussiness, distended stomach and excessive intestinal gas. No medication was taken by the infant or the mother and lifestyle changes were made before consulting a chiropractor.
Intervention and outcomes: The infant was treated with chiropractic manipulation using craniosacral therapy, myofascial therapy and Diversified adjusting technique. The treatment consisted of 17 visits over a 20-week period using a full spine protocol adapted for the pediatric patient
based on size and gestational age. The original diagnosis of GERD improved to physiologic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after 14 visits and then totally resolved at the 17th visit.
Conclusion: Since current evidence fails to support traditional medicinal methods to treat GERD in infants, chiropractic care merits investigation as a safe alternative that might prove more efficient than medication and with fewer side effects. This case report constitutes an addition to the scientific literature regarding chiropractic care of infants suffering from GERD.
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