Homoeopathic Management of Pneumonia In a Child of Two Years

Abstract:  Paediatric age group patients are more prone to recurrent respiratory infections and specifically pneumonia. Managing the paediatric patient with pneumonia (Homeopathy for Pneumonia) presents some challenges. These begin right from case taking and include monitoring and selection of the remedy. Eliciting the history in a child can be difficult. It is important to consider the symptoms reported by the child’s relatives. Clinical signs are another important basis for remedy prescription and differentiation. The time it takes to relieve the symptoms is very important when managing a child with high grade fever. That is because there is always a risk of febrile convulsions.

Key words: Consolidation, Aphorism 73, Crisis, Borland’s Pneumonia, Febrile convulsion, cure, Discharges.

Master A.S                     AGE: 2 years

Date- 10-5-14

Chief complaint:

The child was bought to the hospital with high grade fever (temp 103 – 104 F), cough and coryza for the last 8 days. All the complaints started after the child was taken out in sun for shopping and was given ice cream. Fever with heat sensation, headache and leg pains ensued. The child told his mother to press his legs. Fever generally got aggravated at night time3+.

The child’s thirst has increased and he demanded 1/2 glass of water frequently. Appetite has decreased. He developed craving for sour things especially pickles 3+.

He was very dull and cranky; crying when spoken to. Lacrimation3+ fever during. Swelling under the lower eyelids3+.

The child was on allopathic medicines (antipyretics and antibiotics) since a week ago with short lasting relief.

Examination findings

Appearance of the child: Eyes congested and lacrimation, dull and crankiness, Edema under the lower eye lid.

Temp: 103F,                        Pulse: 110/min,                                   RR 26/ min

RS clear:  CVS Tachycardia

P/A soft, Non tender

X RAY CHEST PA VIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right Para cardiac consolidation                                Increased Broncho-vascular

Markings

High white blood cell counts indicates infection in the blood.

Diagnosis

Right sided Consolidation (Pneumonia).

Homoeopathic Classification of the disease.

Acute individual disease with fully developed symptoms.

[APHORISM 73]

Patient Management:

• Child was admitted in the Hospital to control the infection and fever.

It is crucial to control the temperature since child is 2 years old

and can get convulsions due to high grade fever.

• Temperature Monitoring
• Homoeopathic medicine was started.

Totality of  Symptoms:

1. A/F cold drinks heated when;
2. Thirst heat during
3. Dull fever during
4. Lacrimation fever during
5. Craving Sour things.
6. Fever < night
7. Swelling under the lower eye lids
8. Headache fever during
9. Extremities pain during.

REPORTORISATION (Using the radar software)

REMEDY DIFFERENTIATION:

Based on causation of food and cold drinks and agg heated when, three remedies emerge for differentiation:  Rhus tox, Bryonia, Kali carb.

Clinical observation of swelling under the lower lid, craving for sour food and the cause of the disease are covered by Kali carb.

Kali carb was selected as the remedy.

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE:

Kali Carb 200 frequently.

Follow Up:

Date/Time	Generals	Particulars	Temperature		Treatment
10-5-14 5pm			103F		Kali Carb 200 iP
7:30pm	Dullness & Crankiness little better. App improving	Cough and lacrimation Little improvement	103F		Kali carb 200 iP every one hr
9.30pm			102.8F		Kali carb 200 Ip every one hr
10:45pm	Dullness crankiness Appetite improved	Lachrymation Better. Cough better. swelling under the eye decreased. Headache better. Extremity Pain better.	101.6F		Kali carb 200 Ip every hour
11-5-14 12:00am	Better	Better	100.6F		Kali carb 200 every one hour
2:00am	Better	Better	100F		Kali carb 200 ip now every 2 hrs
4:00am	Better	Better	99.4F		Kali carb 200 Ip
NOTE: Childs fever went down within 10 hours of onset of the treatment after admission. No anti-fever or antibiotic medicines were used in this particular case.
6:00am	Better	Better	99.4F		Kali carb 200 1p
8 am	Better	Better	99.4F		Kali carb 200 1p
10am	Better	Better	99.4F		Kali carb 200 1p
12.00pm	Better	Better	99.4F		Kali carb 200 1P
2.00pm	Passed three semi solid greenish scanty stools	Better	99F		Observe SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
Temperature has gradually reached the normal base line. Passage of stool without any distress is indicative of homoeopathic cure. Further repetition of the homoeopathic medicine was stopped.
3:00pm	better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
4:00pm	Better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
6.00pm	better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
9:00	Better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
10pm	Better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
12-5-14 2am	better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
6am	Better	Better	99.8F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
9am	Better	Better	99F	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
11am	Better. Since 6am. mild increase in the fever.	Mild cough	99.2F	Repeat Kali Carb 200 single dose
1 pm	Better	Better	Afebrile	SL 200 4 pills 4 hourly
Child was completely normal; No fever. Appetite improved; Cough was better but occasional paroxysm. Investigation was sent to look for 12/5/14 – WBC – 11,100. No Fever and reduction of white blood cells compared to earlier state indicates control of infection and resolution of pneumonia.
STRATEGY OF TREATMENT In this particular case Borland’s strategy of pneumonia management was adopted: Using a high potency with frequent repetition of the homoeopathic medicine in order to bring about early resolution of the pneumonic patch. This method is known as “Crisis” (Reference from Borland’s Pneumonia)
Child was discharged on 12-5-14 at  3pm; after patient was completely asymptomatic. Treatment on discharge Iron rich diet, completely stop breast feeding Kali carb 200 to be repeated after child has complaints of coughing. Child was asked to come for follow up after 1 week or if there is any distress. Patient was better in the follow up after 1 week; 15/5/14 –  WBC – 9000. Follow ups

Follow ups

Conclusion

• This case demonstrates the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in Paediatric diseases.
• This case also focuses on the role of homoeopathic hospital admissions for their therapeutic role in paediatric diseases.
• It also demonstrates homoeopathic management of pneumonia which fails to respond to allopathic treatment and application of Borland’s concept of pneumonia treatment.
• Facilitation of any form of discharges is very important for understanding the curative action of the remedy.