Positive Research

Homeopathy in paediatric atopic diseases: Long-term results in children with atopic dermatitis

Authors

Elio Rossi , Paola Bartoli , Alba Bianchi , Monica Da Frè

Journal

Homeopathy, January 2012, Volume 101, Issue 1, Pages 13-20, DOI:10.1016/j.homp.2011.09.003

Abstract

Aim
To study the socio-demographic features, the prescribed remedies and the outcome of atopic diseases in children treated with homeopathy at the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca (Italy), and the long-term outcome of children suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD) after an approximate 8-year period (range 5–10 years).

Methods
Our data derive from an observational longitudinal study carried out on 213 children (38.6%) with atopic diseases out of 551 children consecutively examined from September 1998 to December 2008. We used the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Score to evaluate the results that were classified on the basis of a Likert scale.

Results: 
Eighty-three (39%) children were affected by asthma, 51 (24%) by allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, 76 (36%) by AD and 3 (1%) by food intolerance. Follow-up patients were 104 (48.8%), and 65 (62.5%) of them reported a major improvement or resolution. The parents of paediatric patients suffering from AD, who had started homeopathic treatment at <4.9 years of age were invited to follow-up assessment 8 years later and 40 children (mean age 12.9) were examined; 28/40 (70%) had a complete disappearance of AD, 12/40 children (30.0%) were still affected by AD; 8/40 (20%) had asthma and 8/40 patients had, or developed, allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion
These preliminary results seem to confirm a positive therapeutic effect of homeopathy in atopic children. Furthermore, according to the data from the literature paediatric patients treated with homeopathy seem to show a reduced tendency to maintain AD and develop asthma (and allergic rhinitis) in adult age.

Keywords: 
Homeopathy, Atopy, Paediatrics, Atopic dermatitis, Asthma and allergic rhinitis, Long-term results

External URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1475491611001159?via%3Dihub