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Complementary and alternative medicine use in children
R Pitetti1, S Singh, D Hornyak
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA. pitettr@chplink.chp.edu
Pediatric Emergency Care
|July 5, 2001
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are frequently used by parents to treat children, particularly for respiratory issues. Many children using CAM also receive conventional medications, highlighting potential interactions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
- Public Health
Background:
- Adults commonly use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).
- Limited data exists on CAM use for pediatric conditions.
- Understanding CAM use in children is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the utilization of CAM therapies for children presenting to an emergency department (ED).
- To identify sociodemographic factors associated with CAM use in pediatric patients.
- To explore the types of CAM therapies and conditions treated.
Main Methods:
- A survey methodology was employed using self-administered questionnaires.
- Data was collected from families in an urban, tertiary care pediatric emergency department.
- A convenience sample of families seeking acute care was recruited.
Main Results:
- 12% of surveyed caretakers reported using CAM therapies for their children.
- Homeopathic and naturopathic remedies were most common, often for respiratory problems.
- CAM use in children correlated with caretaker's own CAM use; concurrent conventional medication use was frequent.
Conclusions:
- CAM therapies are prevalent in pediatric care, often mirroring adult usage patterns.
- Parents frequently use CAM for their children and often use it themselves.
- Concurrent use of CAM and conventional medications in children warrants attention due to potential interactions.