A Report of Two Cases in which Kampo Treatment Could Contribute to the Improvement of Quality of Life for Children with Congenital Disorders

Abstract

We report two cases in which the quality of life of children with chromosomal aberration improved with Kampo treatment. Case 1 : Six-year-old boy with 5p deletion syndrome. We prescribed kambakutaisoto for the purpose of treating excitability and insomnia. After adding shokenchuto, and further using with yokukansan, the degree of excitement was obviously reduced, and he began to sleep well until morning. Case 2 : Two-year-old boy with chromosome 8 abnormality. He had failed extubation after thoracotomy, thus he needed tracheostomy and gastrostomy. Frequent sputum suction was required every 5 to 15 minutes, and he suffered chronic diarrhea. The number of suctioning was decreased after treatment with bukuryoingohangekobokuto. Moreover, after the addition of shokenchuto, suction became unnecessary for more than 2 hours, and diarrhea also improved. After surgery to close tracheostomy site, he has been receiving ogikenchuto + shoseiryuto + ninjinto and is very well enough to go to a nursery school. Although it is a small improvement not involved in life prognosis, it has contributed to the improvement of the quality of life and the reduction of burden on caregivers. We believe that it is one of the significance of providing Kampo treatment for children.