Complementary and alternative medicine in pulmonology.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Integrative Medicine
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by children with pulmonary disorders, including asthma and cystic fibrosis.
• Many healthcare facilities offer CAM, yet conventional practitioners often lack knowledge of these therapies.
• Lack of reporting CAM use by parents to healthcare providers can impact patient care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for pediatric pulmonary disorders.
• To assess the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of CAM in children with breathing conditions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of CAM therapies for pediatric pulmonary conditions.
• Analysis of existing research on CAM use and efficacy in children with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory issues.

Main Results:

• CAM is commonly employed for chronic pediatric respiratory conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
• Despite methodological flaws in many studies, some data support the use of CAM for treating children with pulmonary disorders.
• Limited research exists specifically demonstrating overall benefit, particularly in pediatric populations.

Conclusions:

• Physicians need awareness of available CAM options and supporting research for pediatric pulmonary disorders.
• Informed guidance on CAM therapies can help healthcare providers offer comprehensive care to children with respiratory conditions.