Children's Health

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Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Clinical Study

Jujube syrup presented improved results in treating pediatric functional constipation compared to polyethylene glycol, demonstrating a potentially effective and safe alternative treatment.

2025 Scientific Reports Comparison of Ziziphus jujube Mill. Syrup versus polyethylene glycol in children with functional constipation: a randomized clinical trial
Keihanian F, Maleknejad S, Saeidinia A, Soltanipour S, Pirooz A

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Randomised Controlled Trial

Parent-administered pediatric tuina is effective at reducing core symptoms of ADHD in preschool children and improves child appetite and sleep quality.

2022 Phytomedicine Parent-administered pediatric Tuina for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in preschool children: A pilot randomized controlled trial embedded with a process evaluation
Chen SC, Yu J, Wang HS, Wang DD, Sun Y, Cheng HL, Suen LKP, Yeung WF

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Clinical Study

The combination of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is more effective in treating pediatric diarrhea due to spleen deficiency than Shen Ling Bai Zhu San alone.

2022 Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Clinical study on Tuina plus Shen Ling Bai Zhu San in treating children with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency
Li J

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Clinical Study

Consumption of pumpkin seeds enhances the nutritional status and improves the attention deficit of deaf female children exhibiting ADHD symptoms.

2021 African Journal of Biological Sciences Improvement of attention deficit hyperactive disorder for deaf female children by intake pumpkin seeds
Ataya H

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Allergic rhinitis in children, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is interrelated with the functionality of lungs, spleen, and kidney and can be treated with combined Western and Chinese herbal medicines.

2021 Translational Pediatrics Current status of Chinese herbal medicine to treat allergic rhinitis in children: from the perspective of Western medicine—a narrative review
Liang J, Gu Q

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Currently, acupuncture is considered to be a safe, helpful, and available alternative option for patients who have not responded to or complied with conventional pharmacotherapy.

2019 Neuropediatrics Acupuncture in Adult and Pediatric Headache: A Narrative Review
Doll, E., Threlkeld, B., Graff, D., Clemons, R., Mittel, O., Sowell, M. K.

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Review Article

Milk and honey mixture seems to be at least as effective as dextromethorphan and levodropropizine, the most prescribed over-the-counter antitussives in Italy, in non-specific acute cough in children.

2015 Allergologia et Immunopathologia Effect of multiple honey doses on non-specific acute cough in children. An open randomised study and literature review
Miceli Sopo S, Greco M, Monaco S, Varrasi G, Di Lorenzo G, Simeone G

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Systematic Review

We cautiously suggest that acupuncture therapy could demonstrate better clinical efficacy than pharmacological treatment or placebo treatment in treating nocturnal enuresis.

2015 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Efficacy of Acupuncture in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Lv ZT, Song W, Wu J, et al.

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Children's Health" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Children's Health" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Children's Health" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Clinical Study published in 2025 in the journal Scientific Reports found that Jujube syrup presented improved results in treating pediatric functional constipation compared to polyethylene glycol, demonstrating a potentially effective and safe alternative treatment. The researchers conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving children aged 2-10 years old diagnosed with functional constipation. These children were selected from patients referred to the gastroenterology clinic of 17-Shahrivar Hospital in Rasht, Iran. The eligible candidates were divided into two groups, each receiving either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or Ziziphus jujuba syrup (ZS) in a dosing range of 1-5 cc/kg/day. The patients were monitored over a three-month period, with bi-weekly check-ups in the first month, followed by monthly check-ups for the next two months. Additionally, liver and kidney function tests, as well as blood sugar levels, were verified at the start and end of the study. Out of 90 qualified children, 32 patients in the PEG group and 30 in the ZS group finished the follow-ups. The therapeutic response score in the group administered ZS showed a distinct improvement compared to those given PEG. Similarly, the average number of encopresis and pain scores, as measured by a visual analog scale, showed a significant reduction in the ZS group compared to the PEG group. Other indices, such as frequency of defecation and medication adherence, also showed a noticeable improvement in the ZS group. With only a few self-limiting side effects reported in the PEG group, it was determined that ZS provides a potential choice for functional constipation treatment without any adverse events or liver and kidney injury.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2022 in the journal Phytomedicine found that Parent-administered pediatric tuina is effective at reducing core symptoms of ADHD in preschool children and improves child appetite and sleep quality. This research involved a two-arm, parallel, open-label, pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, where 64 participants were assigned to two separate groups. Parents in the first group attended an online course teaching them pediatric tuina for ADHD, which they would then apply to their children at home. The second group of parents went through online training about a progressive muscle relaxation exercise and engaged in interactive physical activities with their children at home. Both groups carried out their respective interventions every other day for two month, each session lasting at least 20 minutes. The project measured the rate of recruitment, consent, participant adherence, retention and any adverse events. Upon investigation, both groups demonstrated improvements, with moderate effect size within each group. This was reflected in improvements in core hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. Parents also noticed positive changes in their children’s eating habits, sleep quality, and overall parent-child relationship. No serious issues were reported in relation to implementing the parent-administered pediatric tuina or from the interactive physical activity sessions.

A Clinical Study published in 2022 in the journal Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science found that The combination of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is more effective in treating pediatric diarrhea due to spleen deficiency than Shen Ling Bai Zhu San alone. Methodology: The paper reports on a clinical trial involving a total of 105 children diagnosed with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. These children were randomly allocated into two separate groups: a control group and an observation group. The control group, consisting of 52 children, were exclusively treated with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San orally. The observation group, on the other hand, consisted of 53 children who received an additional Tuina treatment along with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. Results: After implementing the treatments, it was found that every child in the observation group showed improvement, compared to 90% improvement rate in the control group. This correlated to a decrease in scores of primary and secondary symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups post-treatment. Furthermore, the children in the observation group who received both treatments had even lower symptom scores than the control group who only received Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. The treatments were also well-tolerated with no significant adverse reactions reported.

A Clinical Study published in 2021 in the journal African Journal of Biological Sciences found that Consumption of pumpkin seeds enhances the nutritional status and improves the attention deficit of deaf female children exhibiting ADHD symptoms. This study investigated 40 deaf female children, aged between 10 and 12 years, who exhibited symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These children were selected from El Amal school for the deaf and divided into two groups; control and experimental. Various data were gathered on personal and socio-economic factors, food habits, diet history, and clinical signs, along with performing the Attention Deficit Disorder Connected with Hyperactivity for Deaf Children test. The experimental group underwent a dietary intervention, consuming 50g of magnesium and iron-rich pumpkin seeds daily over three months. The results indicated an improvement in both iron and magnesium levels within the experimental group following the dietary intervention. Notably, compared to the control group, the levels of magnesium and iron were significantly higher in the experimental group after introducing pumpkin seeds into their diet. Furthermore, on evaluating the ADHD symptoms via the Attention Deficit Disorder Connected with Hyperactivity for Deaf Children test, the experimental group showed a more substantial improvement after dietary intervention than the control group. Over time, the findings demonstrated the potential beneficial effects of consuming pumpkin seeds on the nutritional status and ADHD symptoms in the studied population.

A Review Article published in 2021 in the journal Translational Pediatrics found that Allergic rhinitis in children, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is interrelated with the functionality of lungs, spleen, and kidney and can be treated with combined Western and Chinese herbal medicines. The methodology of this study was based on a review of both traditional Chinese and Western medical theories and practices. Chinese theory postulates that BiQiu, or allergic rhinitis in children, is primarily related to a congenital deficiency in vital qi, dysfunction of the lungs inhibiting nose orifices, and a deficiency of spleen and kidney leading to lung qi deficiency. The review looked into herbal monomers and compounds of Chinese herbal medicines as potential treatments for allergic rhinitis, while also considering the impact of external factors like the cold and inadequate diet. The review highlighted some of the effects and shortcomings of Chinese herbal medicines used alongside Western medicines for treating allergic rhinitis. Particularly, it focussed on how the unique perceptions of life science of the human body from both Eastern and Western cultures can be brought together for a comprehensive method of treatment. The study also outlined future trends of research to enhance this combined treatment approach.

A Review Article published in 2019 in the journal Neuropediatrics found that Currently, acupuncture is considered to be a safe, helpful, and available alternative option for patients who have not responded to or complied with conventional pharmacotherapy. The authors conducted an exhaustive review of existing literature exploring the use of acupuncture to address migraine headaches in children. This review encompassed understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture, studies on adult headaches, pediatric headache studies, consideration of acupuncture's safety, and its application in other health conditions present in children. The findings of this review suggested that acupuncture emerges as a safe and effective treatment option for migraine in children. Evidence proposes that it can be effectively integrated into the primary treatment regime to reduce the child's discomfort and pain. The effectiveness of acupuncture comes with the added advantage of being safe, with negligible risks, especially important when dealing with young patients. These insights support acupuncture to be seriously considered as an auxiliary treatment strategy for migraines in children.

A Review Article published in 2015 in the journal Allergologia et Immunopathologia found that Milk and honey mixture seems to be at least as effective as dextromethorphan and levodropropizine, the most prescribed over-the-counter antitussives in Italy, in non-specific acute cough in children. Honey is recommended for non-specific acute paediatric cough by the Australian guidelines. Current available randomised clinical trials evaluated the effects of a single evening dose of honey, but multiple doses outcomes have never been studied. 134 children suffering from non-specific acute cough were randomised to receive for three subsequent evenings a mixture of milk (90 ml) and wildflower honey (10 ml) or a dose of DM or LDP adjusted for the specific age. The effectiveness was evaluated by a cough questionnaire answered by parents. Primary end-point efficacy was therapeutic success. The latter was defined as a decrease in cough questionnaire score greater than 50% after treatment compared with baseline values. Three children were excluded from the study, as their parents did not complete the questionnaire. Therapeutic success was achieved by 80% in the honey and milk group and 87% in OTC medication group (p = 0.25).

A Systematic Review published in 2015 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that We cautiously suggest that acupuncture therapy could demonstrate better clinical efficacy than pharmacological treatment or placebo treatment in treating nocturnal enuresis. In summary, the results of this study suggest that acupuncture therapy demonstrate better clinical efficacy than pharmacological treatment or placebo treatment in treating NE. Due to the low methodological qualities of included trials, the findings of current study should be interpreted with caution. Therefore, to further assess the potential beneficial effect of acupuncture therapy for NE, additional RCTs with rigorous experimental design, large-scale high quality methodological control, long follow-ups, and strict reporting specification are required.

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