Related Experiment Videos
Cranberry use among pediatric nephrology patients
Elizabeth A Super1, Kathi J Kemper, Charles Woods
1Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Insights
Parents frequently give cranberry products to children with kidney disease, especially for recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI). However, most parents do not discuss this with their doctor, highlighting a need for more research on cranberry
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Urology
Background:
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) are common in children.
- Complementary therapies are often used for recurrent childhood illnesses.
- Cranberry product use in children with renal disease is not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and parental perceptions of cranberry product use in children with renal disease.
- To determine if cranberry use differs between children with rUTI and other renal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous, cross-sectional survey of parents in a pediatric nephrology clinic.
- Data collected from June 1, 2004, to August 13, 2004.
- Survey focused on cranberry product usage for various renal conditions.
Main Results:
- 29% of parents reported giving cranberry products therapeutically to their children.
- Cranberry use was significantly higher in children with rUTI (65%) compared to other renal conditions (23%).
- Most parents perceived cranberry as beneficial, with few reporting side effects; only 23% discussed use with a physician.
Conclusions:
- Cranberry products are commonly used by children in pediatric nephrology clinics and are perceived as beneficial by parents.
- There is a significant gap in physician-parent communication regarding cranberry use.
- Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the efficacy of cranberry for rUTI in pediatric populations.
Introduction:
Recurrent urinary tract infections are common in children, and the use of complementary therapies is common in other children with recurrent illnesses. However, little is known about the use of cranberry products by children with renal disease. We hypothesized that, because cranberry is often used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTI) in adult women, many parents would give it to their children, particularly to children prone to recurrent UTI (rUTI).
Methods:
Anonymous, cross-sectional, self-administered survey of parents of children seen in the pediatric nephrology clinic at Brenner Children's Hospital between June 1, 2004, and August 13, 2004.
Results:
Of the 117 parents surveyed, the patients' average age was 10.3 years, and 15% reported rUTI as a problem. Overall, 29% of surveyed parents gave cranberry products therapeutically; as expected, use was higher among those with rUTI (65%) than among those with other renal conditions (23%); odds ratio = 6.1 (2.0, 18.4, P < .001); many parents gave cranberry to treat as well as prevent diverse renal problems. Most felt it was beneficial and only 1 parent reported a side effect (nausea). Only 23% of those who used it had discussed cranberry use with their physician.
Conclusion:
Cranberry is commonly used therapeutically among patients seen in a pediatric nephrology clinic and is perceived as useful by parents, though uncommonly discussed with physicians. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of cranberry juice therapy for rUTI in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
01:20Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
01:30Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
01:18Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management