Die Bedeutung des osteopathischen Behandelns für Kinder nach einer Frühgeburt

Objective – Preterm infants represent a significant proportion within the total birth rate. According to the gestational age and possible complications, premature infants sometimes suffer from severe impairments which influence the life of the child and its family. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of osteopathic treatment for preterm infants.

Methods – Semistructured interviews were used to investigate the pediatric osteopaths’ view about osteopathic treatment of preterm infants and relevant strategies and aspects. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.

Results – The 12 interviewed pediatric osteopaths stated that they adapted their treatment according to the individual needs of the premature infant. In this context, interdisciplinary cooperation and the involvement of the parents were considered to be particular important.

Conclusion – Osteopathic treatment can improve the impairment of preterm infants and the general conditions for their development according to the pediatric osteopaths’ opinion. Moreover, the osteopathic treatment might complement other therapeutic procedures in an interdisciplinary collaboration and therefore seems to be important for an optimal outcome.