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Homeopathy 2012; 101(01): 13-20
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2011.09.003
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2011

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

Elio Rossi
1   Homeopathic Clinic, Local Health Unit n. 2, Lucca, Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, Italy
,
Paola Bartoli
1   Homeopathic Clinic, Local Health Unit n. 2, Lucca, Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, Italy
,
Alba Bianchi
1   Homeopathic Clinic, Local Health Unit n. 2, Lucca, Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, Italy
,
Monica Da Frè
2   Unit of Epidemiology, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received26 October 2010
revised29 June 2011

accepted07 September 2011

Publication Date:
29 December 2017 (online)

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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 5–10years).

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 < 4.9years of age were invited to follow-up assessment 8years 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
 

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