A Child With Feeding Aversion Corrected by Acupuncture

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. In addition, pediatricians are becoming aware of acupuncture as a useful adjunctive treatment modality. Objective: To describe the use of acupuncture in a young child with feeding intolerance with vomiting. Design, Setting, and Patient: A 14-month-old boy seen at a midwestern pain clinic for months-long feeding intolerance, resulting in drastic reduction in weight percentile. Intervention: Bilateral needling at PC 6, ST 34, ST 36, LR 3, and abdominal points CV 12 and ST 25. The procedure was repeated weekly for 3 weeks, then continued every other week for 3 months, combined with his behavioral program of feeding therapy. Main Outcome Measure: Cessation of vomiting and ability to take food orally (removal of feeding tube). Results: The patient cried and vomited during quick placement of needles, but then played with toys for 45 minutes in the pain clinic with needles in place. Needles were withdrawn and he did not vomit all the following week and actually put rice in his mouth at day care. The patient continued to gradually increase his oral intake to eventually taking 80% of food orally, with an 11-g/d weight gain. Acupuncture therapy was stopped, with occasional resumption of 1–2 treatments if vomiting resumed. His feeding tube was surgically removed. Conclusions: The successful use of acupuncture for vomiting and feeding intolerance in this patient should encourage pediatricians to consider acupuncture for related conditions.