Adverse effects of spinal manipulation therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic.

Journal: J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2008;31(6):419-422

Authors: Miller JE, Benfield K

Summary: Miller et al examined 781 pediatric patients under 3 years of age (73.5% of whom were under 13 weeks) who received a total of 5242 chiropractic treatments at a chiropractic teaching clinic in England from 2002-2004[i]. There were no serious adverse effects (reaction lasting >24 hours or needing hospital care) over the three-year study period.  There were 7 reported minor adverse effects, such as transient crying or interrupted sleep.  Though the study was not examining effectiveness, it is interesting to note that 85% of the parents reported improvement in their children’s symptoms.