Chiropractic and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

We explore how chiropractic care can positively influence children’s health, focusing on the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome with spinal adjustments.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Chiropractic

In every chiropractic consultation, all studies conducted on important topics for children’s health are usually available, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other important topics for the prevention of our children.

How the spine is compromised before and during birth
Chiropractic care and its impact on children’s health
History and update on sudden infant death syndrome. Detailed discussion of the upper cervical subluxation and its correction in children.

There are several studies

that relate instability in the atlanto-occipital joint (Atlas) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):

The study by Dr. Gilles, Bina, and Sotrel investigated cases of infant deaths due to SIDS, concluding that in 10 out of 17 cases, the infant’s death was caused by an inversion in the first cervical or Atlas. They also found a relationship between a poor position of the atlas and subsequent problems in the infant’s mobility learning.

The study by doctors Wehrenberg and Mulhall-Wehrenberg also led to the understanding that during childbirth, the first vertebra of the spine (atlas) shifts anteriorly due to the obstetrician’s manipulation when extracting the baby, leading to various states of illness that affect the nervous system. Their study found that with the correction of the baby’s Atlas, not only was there an improvement in the baby’s health and prevention of SIDS, but also in infant apnea, infant colic, paralysis, convulsive disorders, hypertension, and hyperactivity.

Dr. Towbin, in his study, addressed the clinical importance of the spinal cord and brainstem injury at the time of birth. He stated, “fetal death can occur during childbirth or, with respiratory function suppressed, a short period after birth. Babies who survive the initial effects may be left with severe nervous system defects. In some cases, neurological sequelae are directly attributable to primary injury in the umbilical cord or brainstem.

Dr. Chesire describes the classic trauma mechanism as hyperextension of the cervical spine in a difficult breech delivery. While tetraplegia may occur, it is often described in X-rays as “generally normal.”

Dr. Byers published an excellent article reviewing research on spinal cord damage during the birth process. Traction and rotational efforts applied to the spinal axis were listed as causes of spinal cord injury during childbirth.

Dr. Sachis concluded in his study that the vagus nerve is involved in mechanisms associated with tidal volume control, respiratory rate, and respiratory reflexes. They conducted histological examinations of the vagus nerve in babies who died from SIDS and in those who died from other conditions. Significant differences were observed between the two groups. They attributed the damage to the vagus nerve that caused developmental delays to the displacement that occurred in the first vertebra.

Dr. Gutman described the birth trauma as the “relational alteration” between the occipital and the atlas, which can lead to a “blocked atlas nerve syndrome” in children and adults. In his study, he concluded that for those affected, “manual treatment” by a qualified professional is appropriate.

McMullen in his research stated: Severe subluxation resulting in nerve damage may be clinically obvious at the time of birth (for example, Bell’s palsy, Erb’s palsy, and Klumpke’s palsy); however, more often, the trauma remains unnoticed and symptoms arise later. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, irritability, colic, developmental delay syndromes, and those syndromes associated with reduced immune responses.

The Wellness ICPA magazine, from the Chiropractic Pediatrics Association of the USA, states:

Importance of trauma damage to the vertebral artery in sudden infant death

Damage to the cervical spine is quite common in a series of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

Saternus KS, Hebold K, Beitr Gerichtl Med. 1986; 44: 569-71

sources:

Schneier M, Burns RE: “Atlanto-occipital hypermobility in sudden infant death syndrome.” The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. 1991;7(2):33
Doctor Craig Wehrenberg and Doctor Tracey Mulhall-Wehrenberg at http://www.StopSIDS.org.
Gilles FH, Bina M, Sotrel A: “Infantile atlanto-occipital instability.” Am J Dis Child 1979;133:30.
Towbin A: “Latent spinal cord and brain stem injury in newborn infants.” Develop Med Child Neurol 1969;11:54
Chesire DJE: “The pediatric syndrome of traumatic myelopathy without demonstrable vertebral injury.” Paraplegia 1977-78;15:74.
Byers RK: “Spinal-cord injuries during birth.” Develop Med Child Neurol 1975 17(1):103.
Sachis PN, Armstrong DL, Becker LE, Bryan AC: “The vagus nerve and sudden infant death syndrome: a morphometric study.” J Pediatrics 1981 98(2):278.
Gutman G: “Blocked atlas nerve syndrome in infants and toddlers.” Originally published in “Manuelle Medizin,” Springer-Verlag, 1987. English translation published in International Review of Chiropractic 1990 46 (4): 37.
McMullen M: “Physical stress in childhood that could lead to the need for chiropractic care.” Proceedings of the National Chiropractic and Pediatrics Conference. Arlington, VA: International Chiropractors Association, 1991.
Bonci A, Wynne C: “The interface between sudden infant death syndrome and chiropractic.” Journal of Chiropractic Research 1989; 5 (3): 78
Banks B, Beck R, Columbus M, et al: “Sudden infant death syndrome: a review of the literature with chiropractic implications.” J Manip Physiol Ther 1987; 10 (5): 246.