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Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life

Writer: Dr Debi PrasadDr Debi Prasad



Below information derived from "Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life—a pragmatic randomised controlled trial | European Journal of Pediatrics"


Please visit below link to read complete study.


Comparative Study on Homoeopathic and Conventional Pediatric Care in India

A groundbreaking study comparing primary homoeopathic and conventional pediatric care has shown significant differences in treating acute illnesses in children during their first 24 months of life. Conducted in India, this randomized study involved 108 Indian singleton newborns, all delivered at full-term gestation (37 to 42 weeks).


Study Design

The newborns were randomly assigned at birth to receive either homoeopathic or conventional primary care for any acute illnesses over the study period. In cases where necessary, conventional medical treatment supplemented the homoeopathic care. Both clinicians and parents were aware of the treatment assignments.


Key Findings

Reduced Sick Days: Children in the homoeopathic group had significantly fewer sick days compared to those in the conventional group. The relative risk (RR) was found to be 0.37 (95% CI: 0.24–0.58; p < 0.001).


Fewer Sickness Episodes: Correspondingly, these children also experienced fewer sickness episodes (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32–0.87; p = .013), including respiratory illnesses.


Growth Metrics: Over the 24-month period, children in the homoeopathic group were observed to be taller (F (1, 97) = 8.92, p = .004, partial eta squared = 0.84) than those receiving conventional care, though their weight did not differ significantly.


Antibiotic Use and Cost: Homeopathically treated children required fewer antibiotics, resulting in a lower overall treatment cost.


Conclusion

This study concluded that homoeopathy, complemented by conventional medicine as needed, is more effective in reducing the number of sick days, sickness episodes, and respiratory illnesses in the first 24 months of life. The approach also requires fewer antibiotics and is cost-effective. These findings suggest that homoeopathy, when used with conventional medicine as a backup, is a safe and economical primary care option for young children.


The study provides robust support for integrating homoeopathic care into pediatric practices, potentially transforming the landscape of early childhood healthcare in India.


Oberbaum, M., Chaudhary, A., Ponnam, H.B. et al. Homoeopathy vs. conventional primary care in children during the first 24 months of life—a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Eur J Pediatr 183, 5455–5465 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05791-1


 
 
 

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