Out of 697 children receiving 5,242 treatments, with an 85% improvement reported by the parents, there was an approximate 1 child out of 100 that had a reaction; however, there were no serious complications out of all 5,242 treatments. At the bottom of this article, I included a description of the reactions of the children that were reported by the parents during this study~ Dr. Broussard
Adverse effects of spinal manipulative therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Jul-Aug;31(6):419-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.002.
Miller JE1, Benfield K.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study is to identify any adverse effects to chiropractic care occurring in the pediatric patient and to evaluate the risk of complications arising in the pediatric patient resulting from chiropractic care.
METHODS:
A 3-year retrospective study of pediatric case files from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC) (Bournemouth, England) teaching clinic practice in Bournemouth, England. All files (n = 781) of pediatric patients younger than 3 years of age were selected manually in sequential order from current files stored in the AECC clinic presenting to the AECC clinic during a specific period. Most (73.5%) patients presenting were 12 weeks of age or younger (n = 574).
RESULTS:
Six hundred ninety-seven children received a total of 5242 chiropractic treatments, with 85% of parents reporting an improvement. Seven parents reported an adverse effect. There was a reaction rate of approximately 1 child in 100, or one reaction reported for every 749 treatments. There were no serious complications resulting from chiropractic treatment (reactions lasting >24 hours or severe enough to require hospital care).
CONCLUSION:
This study shows that for the population studied, chiropractic manipulation produced very few adverse effects and was a safe form of therapy in the treatment of patients in this age group.
PMID: 18722196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.002
Descriptions of reactions reported by parents in this study:
1 Male 8 After the first treatment of cervical spine SMT for the treatment of infant colic, the parents telephoned to say the
infant was not feeding well and was mildly distressed. The tutor told the parents to monitor the infant closely and to
take him to the general practitioner for examination if he did not begin to feed normally within a few hours. The next
day the parents called to say that the infant was fine and they resumed care at the clinic for their child.
2 Female 8 After the fourth treatment of cervical and thoracic SMT for the treatment of infant colic, the mother called the clinic
to say the baby had been crying since the treatment. The intern spoke to the mother and stated that it as unlikely that
the treatment had caused any harm, but if she was concerned, she should seek the advice of her general practitioner.
The mother was satisfied with this and said that the crying was probably because of constipation. That evening, the
baby slept better than usual, and the mother returned and completed the course of care for her child.
3 Female 6 The parent’s returned to the clinic a few hours after the first treatment with cervical spine SMT (in treatment of infant
colic) stating that they thought that the baby had a “head tilt” since the adjustment. The tutor examined the child and
found full cervical range of motion with no antalgic posture. The parents were satisfied with this, did not feel there
was any reaction from treatment, and continued care.
4 Female 7 The mother reported that the baby cried a lot after the first visit for cervical spinal SMT for the condition of infant
colic, went to sleep for 2 hours, and awoke and continued to cry. She attended the clinic for 3 more visits and then
self-discharged. When telephoned, she said the baby was “doing fine” and did not require more care.
5 Male 5 The parents told the intern that they would not attend the next (7th) visit because after the 6th visit of SMT for the
condition of infant colic, the baby was restless and crying for almost 8 hours. They stated they did not wish to
continue with treatment.
6 Male 17 On the 25th visit of a child who had been closely monitored since birth trauma, the intern adjusted the pelvis and the
baby began to cry instantly. The mother felt that this was a cry of pain. The intern brought a tutor in to examine the
infant. The tutor performed a corrective adjustment to the ileum and the baby stopped crying. The mother telephoned
later that day to say that the child was fine. The mother continued to bring her child for monitoring and care when
required for the next several months.
7 Female 12 At the 11th visit consisting of cervical spine manipulation for the condition of kinematic imbalance due to
suboccipital strain (KISS), the baby cried during the treatment and continued to cry upon returning home. The intern
telephoned the mother the following day. She said that the baby was better, but she wished to stop treatment.