Alternative med use common in pediatric specialty outpatients

January 14, 2013 in Pediatrics

Alternative med use common in pediatric specialty outpatients

Complementary and alternative medicine is commonly used among pediatric specialty outpatients, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Pediatrics.

(HealthDay)—Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used among pediatric specialty outpatients, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Pediatrics.

Denise Adams, Ph.D., from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues surveyed parents to examine the prevalence and patterns of CAM use in subspecialty clinics at one children's hospital in western Canada (Edmonton) and one in central Canada (Ottawa).

The researchers found that CAM use was significantly higher at the western hospital (71 percent) than the central hospital (42 percent), despite similar of the two populations. The majority of parents agreed or strongly agreed that they felt comfortable discussing use of CAM in their clinic. Multivitamins/minerals, herbal products, and were the most common currently used CAM products, while massage, chiropractic, relaxation, and aromatherapy were the most common currently used CAM practices. Participants reported 80 adverse effects with CAM, 55 of which were self-assessed as minor.

"CAM use is common in children," the authors write. "Parents would clearly like more information about CAM from their specialty clinics; such information would be easier to share if more primary data were available about the safety and effectiveness of commonly used therapies."

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal reference: Pediatrics search and more info website

Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

not rated yet  

Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Rate of bicycle-related fatalities significantly lower in states with helmet laws

Existing research shows that bicyclists who wear helmets have an 88 percent lower risk of brain injury, but researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that simply having bicycle helmet laws in place showed a 20 percent ...

Pediatrics created May 23, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist, study finds

(HealthDay)—Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving ...

Pediatrics created May 22, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Phthalates: Study links chemicals widely found in plastics, processed food to elevated blood pressure in children, teens

Plastic additives known as phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are odorless, colorless and just about everywhere: They turn up in flooring, plastic cups, beach balls, plastic wrap, intravenous tubing and—according to the ...

Pediatrics created May 22, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Less sleep associated with increased risk of crashes for young drivers

A study by Alexandra L. C. Martiniuk, M.Sc, Ph.D., of The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia, and colleagues suggests less sleep per night is associated with a significant increase in the risk for motor ...

Pediatrics created May 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Whole-cell vaccine was more effective than acellular vaccine during CA pertussis outbreak

Whole-cell pertussis vaccines were more effective at protecting against pertussis than acellular pertussis vaccines during a large recent outbreak, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published in Pediatrics.

Pediatrics created May 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast


Engineered cytomegalovirus protects monkeys from HIV equivalent

(Medical Xpress)—A new study by researchers in the US has shown that an ancient virus can be modified to help in the fight against the simian immunodeficiency virus SIV, which is the equivalent in monkeys ...

Researchers identify first drug targets in childhood genetic tumor disorder

Two mutations central to the development of infantile myofibromatosis (IM)—a disorder characterized by multiple tumors involving the skin, bone, and soft tissue—may provide new therapeutic targets, according to researchers ...

Hormone levels may provide key to understanding psychological disorders in women

Women at a particular stage in their monthly menstrual cycle may be more vulnerable to some of the psychological side-effects associated with stressful experiences, according to a study from UCL.

Going live: Immune cell activation in multiple sclerosis

Biological processes are generally based on events at the molecular and cellular level. To understand what happens in the course of infections, diseases or normal bodily functions, scientists would need to ...

Help at hand for people with schizophrenia

How can healthy people who hear voices help schizophrenics? Finding the answer for this is at the centre of research conducted at the University of Bergen.

Alzheimer's disease, the soft target of the euthanasia debate

(Medical Xpress)—The way Alzheimer's disease is portrayed by advocacy groups and the media is having undue influence on the euthanasia debate, according to a Deakin University nursing ethics professor.