Osteopathic treatment of newborns and infants: effi ciency and associated risks (a systematic review of literature in English and in French)

Abstract

Objectives. The study aims to conduct a systematic literature review about effi ciency of osteopathic care on health problems of the infants, from birth to the age of two, as well as to list eventual associated side-effects.Materials and methods. An independent author realized a systemic literature review among 10 data-bases. Studies investigating the effi ciency of osteopathy on troubles affecting premature babies, newborns, and infants, as well as associated adverse effects were included as long as they were written in French or in English. Case studies and experts′ point of view were excluded.Results. 12 studies out of 62 could be included. They looked at infant′s obstructive apnoea, lingth of stay and gastrointestinal disorders of the premature infant, positional asymmetry, infantile colic, and breastfeeding disorders. Mild side-effects are the only ones recorded to this day, although there is a lack of data on that count.Conclusion. To this day, there is a lack of studies with adequate methodology allowing to demonstrate the effi ciency of osteopathic care on aforementioned troubles. However, the experimental protocols in some of the studies found will provide a good basis to develop future randomized controlled studies investigating: troubles cared for, type of care provided, effects and potentially related adverse effects.