Study of intervention of balanced nutrition in early period combined with ear acupuncture therapy for the mental and physical development of high-risk children

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of balanced nutrition in early period combined with ear acupuncture therapy intervention on the mental and physical development of high-risk children.Methods One hundred and twenty-five cases of high-risk children were divided into two groups,intervention group of 62 patients and control group of 63 patients.On the basis of conventional therapy,children in control group only received guiding and assessing of general feeding knowledge.Children in intervention group recieved intervention of balanced nutrition education in early period combined with ear acupuncture therapy,and the parents in the family were guided to know how to make and arrange a restable balanced die for children,how to massage the whole ear and rub ear,intensive training.Guidance of dietary assessment,physical examination and mental development tests were regularly conducted.Results Physical development in intervention group was superior to control group,the height,weight and head circumference of intervention group were within the normal range,whereas there were 8 cases of malnutrition,19 cases of obesity,and the abnormal cases accounted for 42.9％ in control group; Prevalence of anemia in children with one year old in the intervention group was 3.2％ (2 cases),and was 50.8％ (32 cases) in the control group,there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).There were significant differences in the five functional areas and total development ratio between the two groups (P ＜ 0.01),and the differences gradually increased with age increased.The incidences of retardation and sequelae in intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Balanced nutrition in early period combined with ear acupuncture therapy is very effective.It can promote the intellectual development of high-risk children,reduce the incidence of neurological sequelae and improve the quality of children' s life.It is simple and should be promoted. Key words: Early period ; Balanced nutrition ; Ear acupuncture therapy ; High-risk children ; Physical and mental development; Effect analysis