Ear acupuncture points in neonates.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the presence and absence of acupuncture ear points in healthy neonates.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational study performed at a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
The subjects were healthy neonates. We compared male and female neonates, right and left lobe, term and preterm deliveries, and cesarean sections versus vaginal deliveries. Examinations took place on the fifth day after delivery and were performed by a neuronal pen (SVESA 1070, SVESA GmbH, Munich, Germany). An integrated optical signal detected the ear points that were assigned to the Chinese ear map.


METHODS
This study looked at the presence and absence of acupuncture ear points in neonates.


RESULTS
There were 27 male neonates and 23 female neonates. In 66% of neonates, no points at all were found. We detected 0-4 points on the right lobe and 0-2 points on the left lobe. The psychovegetative rim was the most common point in 26% of all children. No psychic points were detected. No significant differences were found between right and left ear lobes, male and female neonates, or term and preterm deliveries with respect to numbers of points or access of points. Moreover, there were no differences among modes of delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Some ear points in healthy neonates are detectable and not dependent on side of the ear lobe. Females had significantly more acupuncture points. There was an extremely significant difference in the group with 2 active earpoints between cesarean and vaginally delivered neonates. The most important point was the psychovegetative rim and the absence of psychic points in favor of the organ points. Possibly, ear points in neonates could be used for diagnostic and therapeutic options in neonates in the future.
Van Amerongen
Kirsten Stähler
KS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universitäts Frauenklinik, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. kirsten.staehler@insel.ch
Blattmann
Fabienne Christina
FC
Kuhn
Annette
A
Surbek
Daniel
D
Nelle
Mathias
M
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D020831:Acupuncture, Ear; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013557:Switzerland