Use of alternative–complementary-medicine (CAM) in Calabrian children

Abstract

ObjectiveThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has not been widely studied among children in Italy. ISTAT-2005 survey showed a prevalence of 10% concerning children treated with CAM. The lack of data about the use of CAM in pediatrics in the South of Italy aimed us to conduct an epidemiological inquiry in Calabria.MethodsThe study has been conducted from 2009 and 2011 at the Pediatric Units of: University “Magna Graecia”- Catanzaro (CZ), Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital-Catanzaro (CZ), Annunziata Hospital-Cosenza (CS), Jazzolino Hospital- ViboValentia (VV), Riuniti Hospitals- Reggio Calabria (RC) and San Giovanni di Dio Hospital- Crotone (KR). All information was collected through a questionnaire proposed to children’s parents admitted to these hospitals as out-patients or in-patients.Results1387 parents were approached to complete the questionnaire. 21(1,5%) refused to answer. A total of 1366 questionnaire was analyzed: 378 at CZ , 450 at CS, 131 at KR, 201 at VV and 206 at RC, with a response rate of 98,5%. In total, the percentage of children using CAM varied from 18% in Crotone to 38% in Cosenza. The parents who used CAM for their children were older and with a higher education. Phytotherapy was preferred to homeopathy. The gastrointestinal pathologies and upper respiratory tract are those ones for which frequently parents recur to CAM. Of note we have not to disregard their use “ to strengthen” the immune system. In most of cases CAM have been prescribed by pediatrician.ConclusionsOur study remarks that the use of CAM is increased dramatically among the calabrian children in the last years as well as in other countries. Pediatricians need to improve their knowledge about CAM in order to better manage the parental attitude.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Children in Italy - A Status Quo

“…Herbal medicine is the second most frequently used CAM therapy in children (up to a mean value of 66% [30]. This ranking is confirmed by data of Trapani et al; where the most commonly used CAM in children was homeopathic medicine 72%; followed with a large distance by phytotherapy (17%); acupuncture (5%); Anthroposophic medicine (2%); chiropractic (2%) and osteopathy [27].…”

“…This ranking is confirmed by data of Trapani et al; where the most commonly used CAM in children was homeopathic medicine 72%; followed with a large distance by phytotherapy (17%); acupuncture (5%); Anthroposophic medicine (2%); chiropractic (2%) and osteopathy [27]. This stands in partial contrast to the results of two recent surveys; conducted on patients [30] and on paediatricians [32]; which both demonstrated the predominance of phytotherapy. The herbal remedies mentioned were Echinacea purpura; chamomile; liquorice; fennel; aloe; valerian; almond oil; propolis and cranberry.…”

“…Phytotherapy (53-80%) was preferred to homeopathy (17-47%); this result stands in contrast to those registered in other regions. This is most likely given to the fact that in Calabria; CAM is prescribed more frequently by paediatricians; while self-medication is less common than in other regions [30]. To estimate CAM use in chronic and severe diseases; a study involving children with blood cancer was of relevance: Clerici et al [31] determined that twelve percent of the children had used at least one kind of CAM during conventional treatment.…”

“…Mentioned were ENT (eye; nose; and throat) diseases; allergies; skin disorders; sleep disorders; lung diseases and gastrointestinal diseases as well as alimentary disorders (see Table 1 for the specific percentage) [30]. Highest CAM use was found in ENT diseases (about 30%) explained by the fact that this type of disease is very common among children attending community childhood care [29,30].…”

Pediatric Liver Diseases and its Management by Herbals: A Traditional Siddha Medicine Treatise

“…[1] The use of CAM among children has increased dramatically in the western population, [2] in which phytotherapy was preferred to homeopathy, and parents with higher education used more CAM for their children. [3] To facilitate communication on specialized information regarding CAM in Canada, the pediatric CAM Research and EducationNetwork (http:// www.pedcam.ca/) was created in 2004. [4] Liver disease in pediatric age group is one of the most dangerous health issues in developing countries.…”