Apgar Score, Respiratory Rate, Distress and Inability to Cry Helped with (Upper Cervical) Chiropractic
The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health
published a case study on November 5, 2012, documenting the improvement of an
infant who was born suffering from Transient Tachypnea of Newborns (TTN),
causing a high respiratory rate, and a lowered Apgar score.
According to the study authors, "Transient tachypnea of
newborns (TTN) is a benign, self-limiting respiratory disorder presenting in
the first 1-2 hours after delivery and usually resolving within 2 to 5 days of
age." TTN is defined by the authors as including an infant with a
respiratory rate exceeding 60 breaths/min, nasal flaring, grunting,
retractions, cyanosis, poor feeding, and a lowered Apgar score.
In this case, the baby was born weighing 8.1 lbs. and
measuring 21 3/8 inches. The labor and delivery were at home with a Certified
Practicing Midwife (CPM) present. The birth occurred at 39 weeks 2 days of pregnancy, and the child
was born vaginally with no medical interventions or surgical procedures. The
delivery was natural without any complications.
At one minute after birth, the respiratory rate was 93
breaths per minute, with normal for a newborn being between 40 and 60. The study records that at two and a half
minutes after birth, the baby was showing obvious signs of distress and was
grunting, flaring nostrils, and making gurgling sounds. The baby's Apgar score
at 1 minute after birth was recorded at a 6 due to weak respiratory effort,
bluish color, and grimacing reflex stimulation. Apgar scores are rated between
1 and 10 with 10 being optimal. It is considered a good normal to have an Apgar
score between 8 and 9.
An upper cervical doctor who was on site was asked to examine the
infant for head/neck misalignment. Based on a pediatric chiropractic evaluation
performed, the doctor determined that a misalignment was present at the
upper cervical (neck) area and, with the consent of the mother, a specific form
of chiropractic adjustment for an infant was performed.
At 10 minutes after the birth, and following the (upper cervical) chiropractic adjustment, another examination was performed that showed the
Apgar score had returned to a normal score of 9. Additionally, the respiratory
rate had also lowered to 80 breaths per minute, and within one hour had lowered
further to 74 breaths per minute. The report notes that at 12 hours after
birth, the respiratory rate was at 60 breaths per minute and all other findings
were within normal range.
The authors of the study summed up the success of upper cervical care in helping this infant by saying, "The case of a
newborn diagnosed with Transient Tachypnea of Newborn is presented. Respiratory
rate, Apgar score, and other signs of TTN improved dramatically following an
upper cervical adjustment to reduce vertebral subluxation."
(Editor's
note: Remember the
objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment
that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is
corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other
problems more efficiently on its own. Please do
not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition,
disease or symptom.)
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