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Pediatric Acupuncture Safety: A Scoping Review
Aiko Bailey1, Brenda Loew1, Rachel Blume2
1Department of Family Medicine, Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Pediatric acupuncture appears safe, with no serious adverse events reported in recent studies. However, comprehensive safety data is lacking, necessitating further research to guide clinical decisions.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pediatric Health
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Acupuncture shows promise for pediatric conditions.
- Safety and adverse effects of pediatric acupuncture require further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of recent evidence on pediatric acupuncture safety.
- To identify research gaps and priorities in pediatric acupuncture safety.
Main Methods:
- Searched MEDLINE (July 2015-June 2025) using MESH terms for pediatric acupuncture safety.
- Included studies on filiform needle acupuncture in patients under 21.
- Excluded studies combining acupuncture with other interventions.
Main Results:
- 14 studies met inclusion criteria (RCTs, case reports, cohort studies, etc.).
- No serious adverse effects were reported across the reviewed studies.
- Identified a lack of comprehensive adverse event data.
Conclusions:
- Recent literature shows no serious adverse effects from pediatric acupuncture.
- Incomplete adverse event reporting hinders full understanding of pediatric acupuncture safety.
- Future research should rigorously assess the effectiveness and safety of pediatric acupuncture.
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