Klin Padiatr. 2001 Mar-Apr; 213(2): 76-85.

[Fatal outcome during physiotherapy (Vojta's method) in a 3-month old infant. Case report and comments on manual therapy in children]

Jacobi G, Riepert T, Kieslich M, Bohl J.

Klinik für Kinderheilkunde I, Pädiatrische Neurologie, Zentrum der Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin, Frankfurt/Main.

Detailed clinical and neuropathological report on a fatal incident during the first manual therapy according to Vojta conducted in a 3 months old baby: during forced active rotation and head retraction the baby suffered from a bleeding into the adventitia of both her vertebral arteries at the level of C1 prompting ischemia of the caudal brainstem with subarachnoid haemorrhage around. It has to be suggested that similar cases already have occurred but have not been reported yet. There might be a time lag between the performance of physiotherapy and the beginning of neurologic symptoms. The risks of manual therapy in children will be discussed.