• Shtulman I
• Alcantara Joel

• Breast Feeding
• Colic
• Failure to Thrive
• Female
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Infant
• Manipulation, Cervical

Objective: To describe the outcomes experienced following chiropractic care of an infant presenting with infantile colic, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), failure to thrive and breastfeeding difficulties.

Clinical Features: A 3½-month old female was presented for care suffering from severe infantile colic, poor weight gain, breastfeeding difficulties, and medically diagnosed as failure to thrive. History revealed that at three weeks of age, the patient began struggling to eat, pulling away from the breast and arching her back with inconsolable crying.  Consultations with medical doctors resulted in three different prescribed medications for acid reflux (i.e., Zantac, Prevacid and Kerafe) with no change in symptoms. The patient was hospitalized for a few days due to weight lost early in the first month of her life.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient received chiropractic adjustments to reduce vertebral subluxation appropriate for the patient’s age and mass over a total of 8 visits. Medical follow-up found the infant’s pediatrician noting the patient gained weight and without further concern canceled a referral to a gastrointestinal specialist.

Conclusion: The successful chiropractic care of an infant female with multiple symptoms/complaints is described. This study provides supporting evidence that infants presenting similarly may benefit from management of vertebral subluxation.

Author keywords: Infantile colic, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, failure to thrive, chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, adjustment, breastfeeding

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