Bloodletting Acupuncture at Sifeng Points (EX-UE-10) for Regulating Th1/Th2 Balance in Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumonia.

Researchers are studying whether a specific type of acupuncture can help children with pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. This infection is common in children, and some strains are becoming resistant to standard antibiotic treatment with macrolides like azithromycin. The study focuses on a technique called bloodletting acupuncture applied to specific points on the fingers known as Sifeng points (EX-UE-10). All children in the study receive standard antibiotic treatment, but some also receive the acupuncture therapy. The researchers want to see if adding acupuncture can help balance the immune system by changing levels of specific immune proteins called interferon-gamma and interleukin-4, which indicate how well the body's defense system is working. The goal is to determine whether this traditional Chinese medicine technique can shorten how long children are sick and reduce lung inflammation. This is a randomized controlled trial, meaning children are randomly assigned to receive either antibiotics alone or antibiotics plus acupuncture, which helps ensure the results are reliable. If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug option to support conventional treatment, particularly useful as antibiotic resistance increases. The study is still in the protocol stage, so results are not yet available. Parents interested in acupuncture for their children should seek treatment only from licensed practitioners with pediatric training and experience.

This randomized controlled trial protocol evaluates bloodletting acupuncture at Sifeng points (EX-UE-10) as adjunctive therapy for pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia alongside standard azithromycin treatment. The intervention targets immune modulation by measuring serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to assess Th1/Th2 balance regulation. The study addresses the clinical challenge of macrolide-resistant strains emerging in this population. Primary outcomes include changes in immunological markers and clinical symptom resolution, with the hypothesis that acupuncture may reduce inflammatory response and shorten disease duration. The protocol details case selection criteria, randomization procedures, and standardized acupuncture intervention techniques. No sample size, effect size, or results are reported as this is a protocol publication. Clinical relevance centers on providing evidence-based support for acupuncture as a non-pharmacological adjunct in pediatric respiratory infections, particularly relevant given increasing antibiotic resistance patterns.