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Use of complementary medicine in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and epilepsy
Varda Gross-Tsur1, Amnon Lahad, Ruth S Shalev
1Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
A minority of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or epilepsy currently use complementary medicine, though past use was higher. Previous use strongly predicts current complementary medicine use in children, irrespective of diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy are common childhood conditions.
- Complementary medicine (CM) use is prevalent in pediatric populations.
- Understanding CM use patterns in these specific groups is important for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and predictors of complementary medicine use in children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.
- To compare CM use in these patient groups with healthy controls.
- To identify factors associated with current and past use of CM.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study interviewing parents of children with ADHD (n=120), epilepsy (n=115), and healthy controls (n=115).
- Data collected on past and current use of various CM modalities including diet, homeopathy, acupuncture, and biofeedback.
- Statistical analysis to determine predictors of CM use, including past use, parental education, and family religiosity.
Main Results:
- Lifetime prevalence of CM use was substantial, with 34% of ADHD, 37% of epilepsy, and 24% of control children having used CM at some point.
- Current CM use was significantly lower across all groups (ADHD 7.5%, epilepsy 14%, controls 7%).
- Past CM use was the strongest predictor of current CM use (OR 3.2), followed by father's education. Epilepsy and religious family background showed a trend towards increased current use.
Conclusions:
- While a minority of children with ADHD or epilepsy currently use complementary medicine, a significant portion has tried it in their lifetime.
- Past use of complementary medicine is a key indicator for its continued use, independent of the child's specific medical diagnosis.
- Further research may explore the reasons behind persistent CM use and its integration into standard care for children with chronic conditions.
Abstract:
We retrospectively studied use of complementary medicine in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, epilepsy, and controls. Parents of patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (n = 120; mean age 11.0 +/- 3.1 years), epilepsy (n = 115; 10.9 +/- 5.5), and healthy children seen in the emergency room during an acute illness (n = 115; 5.0 +/- 4.9) were individually interviewed regarding past and present use of complementary medicine. We found that 34 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 37 with epilepsy, and 24 controls had, at some time during their life, received complementary medicine: diet (n = 50), homeopathy (n = 46), acupuncture (n = 23), and biofeedback (n = 9). Current use was significantly less: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- 7.5%, epilepsy-14%, and controls-7%. No differences among groups were found for either past use or method of complementary medicine employed. However, the most significant predictor for current use of complementary medicine was past use (OR 3.2, P < 0.001), followed by level of father's education (OR = 1.16, P = 0.01). There was a trend for more children with epilepsy (OR = 1.7) and children from religious families (OR = 1.51) to be currently receiving complementary medicine. In summary, only a small minority of patients with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or epilepsy used complementary medicine as part of their current medical regimen, although during their lifetime a third had received complementary medicine. Complementary medicine was more consistently used in children who had previously received complementary medicine, regardless of their medical diagnosis.