Symptoms associated with teething and response to three treatments, including homeopathic medicine: a multicenter prospective observational study among 190 French pediatricians.

Background: Primary tooth eruption in infants is associated with a range of local and systemic symptoms although this remains a subject of much debate. In addition, data are limited on the role of physicians in managing infant teething, and on the benefit of homeopathic treatments.

Methods: We conducted an observational, multicenter, prospective survey evaluating teething symptoms, and symptom course following routine medical management by French pediatricians in 597 infants aged from 3 to 24 months. We also examined the response to treatment with routinely prescribed teething medications; the homeopathic agent, Camilia® and topically applied gingival agents (Delabarre® or Dolodent®).

Results: Most infants (96.6%) had buccogingival symptoms and 93.3% had at least one general symptom. Fever (≥38 °C) was reported in 15.2% of infants. For teething, 212 infants were prescribed Camilia®, 172 a gingival solution (Delabarre® or Dolodent®) and 213 received Camilia® along with a gingival agent. Infants prescribed both a homeopathic and a gingival treatment had a significantly higher number of symptoms at presentation compared with those prescribed a single agent. There were no significant differences in symptom course across these three treatment groups. Systemic analgesics/antipyretics were prescribed in 68.8% of cases. Parent satisfaction with medical management and prescribed treatments was high.

Conclusions: Teething is frequently associated with transient local and systemic upset in infants and is a significant concern to parents. Camilia® provides a similar benefit to topical therapy, and is frequently used by pediatricians in France.