Parents' preferences for herbal supplements in managing functional gastrointestinal disorders

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Pharmacognosy

Background:

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders significantly impact children's quality of life and incur socio-economic costs.
• Parental concern often leads to the exploration of alternative treatments, including traditional herbal supplements.
• Limited data exists on the specific utilization patterns of herbal supplements for pediatric gastrointestinal conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utilization status and variety of herbal supplements used by parents for children with functional gastrointestinal disorders.
• To identify commonly used herbs and parental motivations for their selection.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 216 parents of children diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders using ROME-IV criteria.
• Data collection via socio-demographic, diagnostic, and herbal supplement usage questionnaires (including 20 traditional herbs).
• Analysis of reported herbal supplement preferences and sources of advice.

Main Results:

• Over half of parents (57.9%) reported using herbal supplements for their children's gastrointestinal issues.
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) was used by 33.3% for infantile regurgitation, while spearmint (Mentha spicata) was the most preferred herb (28.9%) for broader functional gastrointestinal disorders.
• A significant portion (40%) of parents sought advice from healthcare referrals before using herbal remedies.

Conclusions:

• Parents demonstrate a notable tendency to utilize herbs and herbal supplements for pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders.
• There is a clear need for parental education regarding the appropriate and safe use of these supplements.
• Ensuring access to reliable, quality-controlled herbal products is essential for effective complementary treatment.