Hi,
I posted this on holistic pediatrics forum and thought I would also post here. I have included the response I got from Randall Neustaedter. Can anyone suggest a good kidney tonic I could use for her?
Thanks,
Marleen Greenberg, R.Ac.
Calgary, Alberta
I just saw a 14 month old girl who was diagnosed with bilateral bladder reflux after developing a kidney infection at the age of 8 months. She is being treated prophylactically with novo trimel 2.5 ml/day to prevent further infections. Mom has been told there is a 50 - 60% chance of her outgrowing the reflux. She has eczema and cradle cap (not sure when that started) and uses a moisturizing non-medicated cream daily for that. She broke out in hives last month after eating peanut butter for the first time and saw an allergist who did the sratch test. She is only allergic (on the milder side) to peanuts, but is now avoiding all tree nuts.
She has been fully vaccinated, was breast fed until 8 months and then put on Nestle Good Start wtih omega 3 & 6, eats all foods and drinks milk daily. Vaginal non-medicated birth.
I have recommended an infant or children's probiotic daily while she is on the antibiotics and gave her fermented cod liver oil to take daily. The mom was hesitant to take her off all dairy until she plans to wean her from her bottle at 18 months but was agreeable to trying her on goat's milk products for a month to see if the eczema improves with that. I have instructed the mother in how to massage the kidney, stomach and lung channels for support. I have also recommended avoiding all refined flours and sugars, and using sprouted grains whenever possible.
her shen is very good, there are no dark circles under her eyes or veins anywhere on her face. She is not a picky eater and loves to be touched. Bowels are twice a day and well-formed. Sleep is good. She is generally very happy and engaged.
My question is about the reflux which I think was the original cause of most of the issues. Is there anything that can be done herbally to help with that? Would it be worthwhile to give her a formula for the eczema or is it reasonable to first wait to see if changing and then stopping dairy helps? I am trying not to overload the mom.
Thank you,
Marleen Greenberg, R.Ac., NTP
Calgary, Alberta
from Randall Neustaedter:
Depending on what degree of reflux (which they should know by now from the xrays) there are two options. One is to take antibiotics, as she is doing, the other is to put her on some antibacterial herbs (such as the Evergreen Herbal ABX formula or similiar liquid extract) and do periodic urine tests every two to three months (either dipsticks or cultures) to check for bacteria. This may not be feasible if she's not potty trained yet. Constant probiotics. And I would give her a kidney tonification formula to see if you can encourange progress in the the urinary tract development. Treating the underlying allergic component would be good as well with the protocols set out in my book The Holistic Baby Guide.
