Chiropractic Care of a Pre-term Infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia & Vertebral Subluxation
Kelly Miller DC
Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ February 18, 2008 ~ Pages 1-4
Abstract
Objective: To discuss the case of a pre-term infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); and review literature summarizing the contributing factors, risks, short and long-term outcomes of pre-terms with BPD including those who receive chiropractic care.
Clinical Features: A pre-term female born at 24 weeks gestation, weighed 593 grams. Four months later, she was discharged from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). No progress was noted with respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, motor or verbal skills since her discharge from the hospital. Physical examination revealed vertebral subluxations in the thoracolumbar spine and coccyx.
Intervention and Outcome: A PBI Myovision 8000 handheld thermographic scanner interfaced with Microsoft-compatible personal computer gathered data. Studies indicated medium-low to severe readings throughout the cervical and thoracolumbar spinal areas. The chiropractic technique delivered was Logan Basic to correct vertebral subluxations. The patient’s response was positive. Reassessments were at 12th, 19th, and 24th visits. Four months later, the patient remains asymptomatic without further medical attention.
Conclusion: Due to the rarity of this case, indexed chiropractic literature is unavailable with specific outcomes of children with BPD. The abatement of the patient’s symptoms along with improved physiological development with the onset of chiropractic care suggests this patient’s neurological status was a result of vertebral subluxation. Although one study, chiropractic care appears beneficial for this particular case.
Key Words: Subluxations, Chiropractic Adjusting, Infants, Premature infants, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Chronic Lung Disease, Pre-term Infants, Respiratory Disorders, Thermography
