Free recent research reports on pediatrics

translated by Bob Flaws, Dipl. Ac. & C.H., FNAAOM

Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2000. All rights reserved.

These free research reports on Chinese medical pediatrics are samples of similar reports available for sale from Blue Poppy Press.

Pediatric hyperactivity

"A Discussion of Pediatric Hyperactivity" by Du Yu-qi, Shan Dong Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Shandong Journal of Chinese Medicine), #6, 1992, p. 55

In a case history discussion, Du Yu-qi discusses pediatric hyperactivity (xiao er guo dong zheng). Dr. Du attributes this in the case under discussion to insufficiency of prenatal kidney water or essence which then fails to nourish liver wood. This six year old child's signs and symptoms included a weak body, sparse hair which tended to be fine and yellowish, emotional anxiety and agitation, sweating excessively at night, occasional dry stools, a normal tongue, and a fine pulse. Based on this, Dr. Du prescribed Liu Wei Di Huang Tang Jia Wei (Six Flavors Rehmannia Decoction with Added Flavors): uncooked Radix Rehman­niae (Sheng Di), 9g, cooked Radix Rehmanniae (Shu Di), 9g, Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), 9g, Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Bai Shao), 12g, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fu Ling), 9g, Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie), 9g, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Niu Xi), 9g, Fructus Corni Officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu), 9g, Concha Ostreae (Sheng Mu Li), 20g, and Os Draconis (Sheng Long Gu), 20g. These were decocted in water and taken in divided doses, one ji or formula, i.e., packet, per day. After 25 ji, his condition was improved. He was switched to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavors Rehmannia Pills) and continued on these for one full month more. At that point, the disease was cured.

Pediatric bronchitis

"40 Cases Utilizing Shang Shi Zhi Tong Gao (Damage by Dampness Stop Pain Plasters) as an Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Capillary Bronchitis" by Chen Jian-cong, Zhong Guo Zhong Xi Yi Za Zhi (Chinese Journal of Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine), #2, 1992, p. 123

In this study, Shang Shi Zhi Tong Gao (Damage by Dampness Stop Pain Plaster) was used as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of 40 cases of pediatric bronchitis. Plasters were applied bilaterally to Fei Shu (Bl 13) for a duration of 12 hours. Three applications constituted one course of treatment. The youngest patients were less than six months old and the oldest were more than two years old. The duration of the illness ranged from 1‑7 days, with the average being 2.05 days. Thirty-six of the cases were of common severity; three cases were severe; and one was extremely severe.

(In these cases,) the primary therapy of choice was antibiotics. However, the authors maintain that the plasters were particularly effective in resolving symptoms of asthmatic breathing and obstructed airway stemming from bronchitis. (Shang Shi Zhi Tong Gao is readily available in the U.S.)

"The Treatment of 840 Cases of Pediatric Cough With An Fei Gao (Quiet the Lungs Plasters) Applied to Acupoints" by Wang Qi-ming & Zhang Xin-jian, Zhe Jiang Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Zhejiang Journal of Chinese Medicine), #1, 1993, p. 34

This large clinical audit describes the treatment of 840 cases of pediatric cough by applying An Fei Gao (Quiet the Lungs Plasters) over acupuncture points. This study lasted over a period of two years.

An Fei Gao consisted of: Fructus Gleditschiae Chinensis (Zao Jiao), 150g, Cordyceps Sinensis (Dong Chong Xia Cao), 6g, Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g, uncooked Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae (Ban Xia), 15g, uncooked Rhizoma Arisaematis (Nan Xing), 15g, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fu Ling), 30g, Semen Descuraniae Seu Lepidii (Ting Li Zi), 30g, Pericarpium Citri Erythrocarpae (Ju Hong), 20g, uncooked Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli (Chuan Wu), 10g, powdered Margarita (Zhen Zhu), 3g, powdered Lignum Aquilariae Agallochae (Chen Xiang), 3g, Borneolum (Bing Pian), 9g, and Gecko (Ge Jie), 1 pair

The above medicinals were fried in roasted sesame oil, except for the Pearl, Borneol, and Aquilaria. The dregs were removed and the resulting liquid was strained. The decoction was heated again and Minium (Huang Dan) was added until a paste was formed. The resulting mixture was poured into cold water and left immersed for 15 days. The water was changed twice per day to clear fire toxins. The paste was cut into small pieces and steamed until soft. The powdered medicinals reserved above were then added, mixing them in thoroughly. This paste was stored for later use. When used, a one cun in diameter flat pieces of this plaster was placed over Fei Shu (Bl 13) bilaterally and Dan Zhong (CV 17). These plasters were left in place for three days.

Of the 840 cases, 501 were males and 339 were females. One hundred seventy-two ranged in age from five months to one year; 376 from 2-3 years; and 292 from 4-8 years of age. Further, 532 had been diagnosed as suffering from upper respiratory infection and 308 from bronchitis. Treatment lasted from 3-6 days. After that length of time, 588 were obviously improved, 240 were somewhat improved, and only 12 registered no improvement. Thus the total amelioration rate was 98.02%.

Pediatric diarrhea

"The Treatment of 96 Cases of Pediatric Diarrhea Using Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastaches Righteous Qi Powder)" by Gao Hong-lan, Shan Dong Zhong Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao (Journal of the Shandong College of Chinese Medicine), #1, 1993, p. 39

This clinical audit discusses the treatment of 96 cases of pediatric diarrhea with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San. The children's symptoms included fever, nausea, and diarrhea with five or more bowel movements per day. The ages of the patients ranged from six months to three years old. A single ji of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San was decocted in 80‑100 ml of water and divided into 3‑5 doses per day.

The formula consisted of: Herba Agastachis Seu Pogostemmi (Huo Xiang), 5‑10g, Pericarpium Arecae Catechu (Da Fu Pi), 5‑10g, Folium Perillae Frutescentis (Zi Su), 4‑6g, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macroce­phalae (Bai Zhu), 5‑15g, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (Bai Zhi), 5‑10g, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fu Ling), 5‑15g, Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Hou Po), 5‑10g, Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae (Ban Xia), 4‑6g, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi), 5‑10g, Radix Platycodi Grandiflori (Jie Geng), 5‑10g, and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 3‑5g.

If there was watery stools, Sclerotium Polypori Umbellati (Zhu Ling), 5‑10g, was added. If there was no fever, Angelica, Platycodon, and Perilla were deleted. If there was no vomiting, Pinellia, Angelica, Perilla, and Platycodon were deleted.

If the fever abated, vomiting ceased, and the stools normalized with four small bowel movements per day in infants up to six months and two bowel movements per day in children six months to three years, this was considered a cure. Diarrhea was arrested in 12-48 hours in eight cases and in 48‑72 hours in 24 cases.

Case history: Female, 18 months old. The patient had had a fever for two days with projectile vomiting, diarrhea, and seven bowel movements per day. She received some (unspecified) treatment and her temperature decreased. However, her vomiting and diarrhea persisted. She was in good spirits, her mouth was dry, and she was agitated. Her temperature was 37.4°C. Her tongue was pale with slimy, white fur. Her digital vein was pale red at the qi gate. Her stools were yellow, the color of cornsilk. She was given three ji of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San and all her symptoms disappeared.

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is for the treatment of externally contracted wind cold and internal damage due to damp turbidity. This external contraction of wind cold checks the spreading of protective yang, resulting in aversion to cold and fever. Internal injury due to damp turbidity impairs spleen function, producing gastric fullness, oppression, borborygmus, and abdominal pain. It also causes the qi to counterflow, causing nausea and vomiting. The clear yang sinks, resulting in diarrhea. Because children have weak digestions and tend to be damp, when they get sick, they typically have a fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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