EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE BEFORE FEB. 12, 2001
Contact: Jeff Nedelman, (703) 938-6011
New Study Suggests Adjunctive Treatment of Acute Ear Infectionsin Young Children May Relieve Symptoms Before Antibiotics are NecessaryPediatric Infectious Disease Journal Article Is First Placebo-Controlled Study To Illustrate Effectiveness of Specific Homeopathic Medicines In Early Stages of The Most Common Childhood Illness
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. [February 12, 2001]-- A new study published today by the prestigious Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal suggests that homeopathy is effective in providing symptomatic relief in the treatment of acute otitis media (AOM), a common type of ear infection, in young children.
"For over 100 years anecdotal reports have suggested homeopathy is an effective treatment for symptoms of AOM. This is the first rigorous study finding that children receiving homeopathic medicines show a statistically significant reduction in symptoms, such as temperature, pain or irritability in the first 24 hours after treatment, compared to placebo. This is a time period before antibiotics are indicated or expected to take effect," said Jennifer Jacobs, MD, MPH, the study's principal investigator and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, at the University of Washington in Seattle.
"As with the treatment of colds and flu, the best first line of therapy for children with AOM should be to enhance the body's natural defenses. Homeopathy should be considered for symptomatic relief during the first three days of the illness, while waiting for the infection to resolve on its own" added Dr. Jacobs. "Further studies will be done to investigate whether homeopathy can also speed up the healing process."
"Bacterial resistance to administered antibiotics and their overuse are significant medical issues. In the case of ear infections, more and more pediatricians are now employing the so-called 'watchful waiting' approach. If the infection doesn't clear up in a few days, then antibiotics are used. This study points out that healthcare professionals and parents now have a new, adjunctive approach to reduce symptoms during the 'watchful waiting' period," said Joanne Hartley Allport, MD, MPH, of San Rafael, California, a board certified pediatrician who was formerly employed in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH and now specializes in advising physicians on issues related to integration of complementary and alternative medicine into their practices.
The study notes:* Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common illness in children for which physicians are consulted, with an estimated 24.5 million visits per year* Review articles conclude that a 10 day course of antibiotics provides only marginal benefits and that 70%-90% of all AOM episodes resolve spontaneously* 55% of children less than a year of age in the US have received antibiotic treatments* 3.4% of the US population used homeopathy in 1997, a five-fold increase since 1990* Homeopathic treatment may provide relief from symptoms associated with AOM
A randomized, double blind placebo-controlled pilot study of 75 children ages 18 months to 6 years with middle ear effusion and ear pain and/or fever for no more than 36 hours was conducted in Seattle, Washington. Children received either an individualized homeopathic medicine or a placebo, administered orally three times daily for five days, or until symptoms subsided, whichever occurred first. No adverse effects were reported during the clinical trial.
Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that uses very tiny doses of an active ingredient to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself. The study was funded by Standard Homeopathic Company, who also manufactured the active and placebo tablets used in the clinical trial. Under the Hyland's brand (www.hylands.com) the company manufactures a homeopathic product for children with earaches, Hyland's Earache Tablets(r). The product includes the 4 most frequently used single medicines in the trial. Hyland's Earache Tablets(r) are available in pharmacies and natural foods stores nationwide. Homeopathic medicines are known to work without contraindications or side effects.
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The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal publishes original studies, reviews and case reports on all aspects of infectious diseases in children that have relevance to clinical practice. Each issue is tailored to meet the needs of pediatricians, pediatric residents and fellows and pediatric nurses. The Journal is ranked 4th of 71 journals in the Pediatrics category, 15th of 36 journals in the Infectious Diseases category and 44th of 120 journals in the Immunology category (ISI, 1999).
Standard Homeopathic Company and Hyland's, Inc. operate state-of-the-art manufacturing operations and quality control laboratories along with specially designed proprietary manufacturing processes. Standard is the leader in American homeopathic pharmaceutical manufacturing, producing high quality medicines in compliance with the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. For more information, please contact our website: www.hylands.com or call 1-800-624-9659.
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