Abstract
Laryngomalacia is a common condition in infants, and approximately 65% - 100% of patients suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Comprehensive management is necessary to prevent complications that will affect the quality of life. Besides lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgery, acupuncture has also proven effective in managing laryngomalacia associated with GERD. A seven-monthold baby boy with congenital laryngomalacia associated with GERD received a course of laser acupuncture treatment twice a week for six weeks. Midway through the treatment, there was a gradual increase in the patient's weight, and vomiting frequency decreased. Two weeks after treatment, the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire score lowered from an initial score of 11 (> 7), which indicated that the patient had GERD, to a score of 4, demonstrating significant clinical improvement. Laser acupuncture is a therapeutic option with no side effects. The absence of pain makes this a good acupuncture modality in children and infants. Its use for treating laryngomalacia associated with GERD caused a significant clinical improvement in our case.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Medical Case Reports |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 407-413 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781536168853 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781536168846 |
| Publication status | Published - 14 Feb 2020 |
Keywords
- Acupuncture
- Congenital laryngomalacia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Infant
- Laser acupuncture