Acupuncture on intrauterine growth restriction associated brain injury: case study including use of magnetic resonance imaging
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Published on: February 2, 2024
Xin Zhixiong1, L I Jiyuan2,3, X U Yanni4
1Department of Pediatrics, People's Hospital of Sanshui District, Foshan 528000, China.
Insights
Acupuncture shows promise for treating brain injuries in infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This case study observed significant clinical and MRI improvements in a patient with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) following acupuncture therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) frequently causes brain injury, leading to permanent neurological deficits like cerebral palsy.
- Effective therapeutic options for IUGR-associated brain injury are limited, presenting a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for brain injury in an infant diagnosed with IUGR.
- To evaluate the impact of acupuncture on clinical symptoms and neuroimaging findings in a case of severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) secondary to IUGR.
Main Methods:
- Acupuncture therapy was administered to a 6-month-old male infant diagnosed with severe HIE due to IUGR.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to confirm HIE and monitor changes.
- Treatment involved three courses of acupuncture, with clinical assessments and follow-up MRI.
Main Results:
- The patient exhibited significant improvements in clinical characteristics, including enhanced responsiveness and motor function.
- Follow-up MRI at 1 year of age revealed remarkable reversal of HIE-related brain abnormalities.
- No adverse effects were reported during the acupuncture treatment.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture may serve as a viable therapeutic option for managing brain injuries associated with IUGR.
- The findings suggest that acupuncture warrants further investigation in larger clinical trials for IUGR-induced HIE.
Abstract:
Brain injury due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a thorny clinical problem that often leads to permanent neurological deficits such as cerebral palsy. Few practical therapies can treat an IUGR-associated brain injury. We employed acupuncture to treat a 6-month-old male patient with severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) due to IUGR, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three courses of acupuncture treatment significantly improved some of the patient's clinical characteristics, such as his insensitive responsiveness and motor deficits, with remarkably reversed HIE features on MRI at 1-year of age. This case suggests that acupuncture is a potential treatment option for an IUGR-associated brain injury and warrants further investigation.
