Pediatric Integrative Medicine

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics and Child Health
• Integrative and Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Increasing use of complementary and integrative therapies (CIT) in pediatric care.
• Need for reliable information and clinical resources for pediatricians regarding CIT.
• This report updates the 2008 statement on complementary medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide pediatricians with updated information on CIT for children.
• To define terms, describe usage epidemiology, and outline common CIT types.
• To review medicolegal, ethical, and research implications of CIT in pediatrics.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical practices related to pediatric CIT.
• Development of educational resources and communication strategies for healthcare providers.
• Focus on providing a framework for understanding and discussing CIT, rather than an exhaustive list of therapies.

Main Results:

• Comprehensive overview of the landscape of CIT used in pediatric populations.
• Identification of key considerations for pediatricians, including ethical and legal aspects.
• Provision of resources to support informed clinical decision-making and patient counseling.

Conclusions:

• Pediatricians require updated guidance to effectively address the use of CIT with families.
• This report equips healthcare providers with knowledge on CIT, its implications, and communication strategies.
• Emphasis on supporting family-centered care through informed discussions about complementary and integrative therapies.