Homeopathy beats conventional medicine: fewer sick days and antibiotics for small children

Homeopathy beats conventional medicine: fewer sick days and antibiotics for small children

The research, published in December 2024, examines the effectiveness of homeopathic versus conventional treatments in young children in the first 24 months of their lives. The aim of the study was to find out which treatment is more effective for treating acute illnesses in the first years of children's lives. For this purpose, 108 newborn children in India were assigned to either homeopathic or conventional medical care to monitor their health over a period of two years. If necessary, conventional medicine was also used in the homeopathic group.

Interestingly, the children in the homeopathic group had significantly fewer sick days and episodes of illness, particularly respiratory illness, over the entire study period. Additionally, the children in this group were taller on average, but not heavier. They also needed antibiotics less often, which not only had a positive impact on their health but also on the cost of treatment. The study concludes that homeopathic care, with conventional medicine in the background as a safety net, is a safe and cost-effective primary form of care in the first two years of life.

Possible future effects

These results could influence existing practice in pediatric health care. Since homeopathic treatments cause fewer costs and make fewer antibiotics necessary, you could become the first choice for the treatment of acute illnesses in early childhood, especially in areas with limited resources. If further studies support these results, health guidelines could support a broader application of homeopathic methods.

Basic terms and concepts

• Homöopathie: Eine alternative Heilmethode, die auf der Vorstellung beruht, dass bestimmte natürliche Substanzen, die bei einem Gesunden Symptome hervorrufen würden, bei einem Kranken die Selbstheilungskräfte anregen können.
• Konventionelle Medizin: Auch als Schulmedizin bezeichnet, bezieht sich diese auf medizinische Praktiken, die allgemein anerkannt und wissenschaftlich gestützt sind.
• RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial): Eine klinische Studie, bei der die Teilnehmer nach dem Zufallsprinzip in Gruppen zur Behandlung eingeteilt werden, um die Wirkung der Behandlungen objektiv zu untersuchen.
• Antibiotika: Medikamente, die Bakterien bekämpfen und Infektionen heilen können, jedoch bei übermäßigem Gebrauch zur Resistenzbildung führen können.
• Browsergestützte Sicherungsdatenbank: Ein Online-System, das zur Erfassung und Nachverfolgung klinischer Studien verwendet wird.
• Partial eta squared: Eine statistische Maßzahl, die die Größe eines Effekts in einer Analyse beschreibt.
• CI (Konfidenzintervall): Ein Bereich von Werten, der verwendet wird, um die Unsicherheit einer Schätzung in Statistiken zu verdeutlichen.
• RR (Relatives Risiko): Eine statistische Maßzahl, die das Risiko eines Ereignisses in zwei verschiedenen Gruppen vergleicht.

Homeopathy exceeds conventional pediatric care for acute diseases in the first 24 months

The present study evaluates the effect of homeopathic versus conventional pediatric care in the treatment of acute illnesses within the first 24 months of life. A total of 108 Indian newborns with a gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks were randomized (1:1) immediately after birth to receive either homeopathic or conventional primary care for acute illnesses.

methodology

The study followed a pragmatic, randomized control group design. Conventional treatment was added to homeopathic care. Both clinicians and parents were not blinded. The effectiveness of the interventions was determined on the basis of the number of sick days, disease episodes and respiratory diseases.

Results

• Kinder in der homöopathischen Gruppe hatten signifikant weniger Krankheitstage (RR: 0.37, 95% KI: 0.24–0.58; p < 0.001).
• Es traten weniger Krankheitsepisoden auf (RR: 0.53, 95% KI: 0.32–0.87; p = 0.013).
• Hinsichtlich Atemwegserkrankungen waren ebenfalls weniger Fälle zu verzeichnen.
• Kinder, die homöopathisch behandelt wurden, waren nach 24 Monaten signifikant größer (F (1, 97) = 8.92, p = 0.004), nicht jedoch schwerer.
• Der Bedarf an Antibiotika war geringer, und es wurden geringere Behandlungskosten festgestellt.

Discussion and conclusion

The results of the study indicate that homeopathic treatment, supported by conventional medicine as a safety net, offers superior results in preventing sick days, illness episodes and respiratory diseases in children in the first 24 months of life. The combination of an integrative approach could therefore be advantageous compared to pure conventional treatment.

This study provides important insights into the potential benefits of homeopathic approaches in primary care and supports their safe and cost-effective use in the early years of life.

Further details and complete research can be found in the corresponding publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39425766