Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Pediatric Specialty Outpatients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is high among children and youth with chronic illnesses. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of CAM use in 10 subspecialty clinics in Canada and to compare CAM use between 2 geographically diverse locations. METHODS: This survey was carried out at 1 Children’s Hospital in western Canada (Edmonton) and 1 Children’s Hospital in central Canada (Ottawa). Questionnaires were completed by parents in either French or English. RESULTS: Although demographic characteristics of the 2 populations were similar, CAM use at the western hospital was 71% (n = 704) compared with 42% (n = 222) at the central hospital (P < .0001). Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they feel comfortable discussing CAM in their clinic. The most common CAM products currently used were multivitamins/minerals, herbal products, and homeopathic remedies. The most common CAM practices currently used were massage, chiropractic, relaxation, and aromatherapy. Eighty adverse effects were reported, and 55 (68.8%) of these were self-assessed as minor. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that CAM use is high among pediatric specialty clinic outpatients and is much greater in the western than in the central hospital. Most respondents felt that their CAM use was helpful with few or no harms associated. Many patients, using CAM alongside their conventional medicines, are still not discussing their CAM use with their physicians and are increasing the likelihood for potential interactions and preventable harms.

The use of natural health products by paediatric patients in respite care

“…Moreover, surveyed respondents may not be able to judge whether a product is an NHP, which may lower the reported frequency of NHP use. The population studied by Adams et al (60) and the children in the present study have chronic conditions; however, our patients had more serious pathology and limited life expectancy. The reasons behind the higher use of NHPs by patients with serious chronic medical conditions may include the lack of hope of achieving full success with conventional medications, or higher rates of side effects experienced due to conventional medications.…”

“…Adams et al (60) found 37% of the paediatric population they studied, which included 979 surveys from the Stollery Children's Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta) and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa), currently used NHPs. We found a higher frequency of NHP use in children admitted to hospice, which may be explained by several factors.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine: a survey of its use in pediatric cardiology

“…7 Surveys were administered by a research assistant to all patients in clinic waiting rooms between February and July 2007. Children and their families were eligible to participate if they had not previously filled out a survey, could read French or English and the child was under 18 years of age.…”

Uso de terapias alternativas, desafío actual en el manejo del dolor

“…Entre las patologías tratadas con cAM que han sido objeto de estudio se encuentran: cáncer de próstata, de tiroides, de mama, enfermedades dermatológicas y enfermedades ginecológicas, entre otras (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40).…”

“…Se ha evidenciado que el uso de las cAM es mayor en mujeres, personas con elevado nivel educativo y altos ingresos (41)(42)(43). La introducción de estas terapias en la infancia es reciente, sobre todo en niños con enfermedades crónicas, recurrentes o incurables, en quienes se usan asociadas a los cuidados primarios (29,30). Por otro lado el uso de estas terapias se ha reportado en enfermedades como el asma, hiperactividad y déficit de atención, autismo, cáncer, fibrosis quísti-ca, diabetes, epilepsia, anemia falciforme, enfermedades gastrointestinales, dermatológicas y psiquiátricas (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49).…”