Symptoms associated with teething and response to three treatments, including homeopathic medicine: a multicenter prospective observational study among 190 French pediatricians.
BACKGROUND
Primary tooth eruption in infants is associated with a range of local and systemic symptoms although this remains a subject of much debate. In addition, data are limited on the role of physicians in managing infant teething, and on the benefit of homeopathic treatments.


METHODS
We conducted an observational, multicenter, prospective survey evaluating teething symptoms, and symptom course following routine medical management by French pediatricians in 597 infants aged from 3 to 24 months. We also examined the response to treatment with routinely prescribed teething medications; the homeopathic agent, Camilia® and topically applied gingival agents (Delabarre® or Dolodent®).


RESULTS
Most infants (96.6%) had buccogingival symptoms and 93.3% had at least one general symptom. Fever (≥38 °C) was reported in 15.2% of infants. For teething, 212 infants were prescribed Camilia®, 172 a gingival solution (Delabarre® or Dolodent®) and 213 received Camilia® along with a gingival agent. Infants prescribed both a homeopathic and a gingival treatment had a significantly higher number of symptoms at presentation compared with those prescribed a single agent. There were no significant differences in symptom course across these three treatment groups. Systemic analgesics/antipyretics were prescribed in 68.8% of cases. Parent satisfaction with medical management and prescribed treatments was high.


CONCLUSIONS
Teething is frequently associated with transient local and systemic upset in infants and is a significant concern to parents. Camilia® provides a similar benefit to topical therapy, and is frequently used by pediatricians in France.
Private Practitioner, Lyon, France - jeanstagnara@wanadoo.fr.
Jean
J
Stagnara
Private Practitioner, Lyon, France.
Pascal
P
Besse
Private Practitioner, Lyon, France.
Sohéla
S
El Kebir
Private Practitioner, Lyon, France.
Marie-France
MF
Bordet
D000287:Administration, Topical; D001565:Benzoates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D000072143:Pediatricians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001565:Benzoates; D008419:Materia Medica; C015677:amylocaine