Researchers developed and distributed a survey to pediatric cardiology patients and their parents or guardians who were seen at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton (n=145) and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa (n=31). The goal was to assess the current or prior use of complementary and alternative medicine and practices. Evaluated factors included indications for use, beliefs, sources of information and whether use of such treatments or practices was discussed with physicians.
Overall, 59.1% of respondents reporting the use of complementary and/or alternative medicine at any point in the child’s life. Significantly more participants treated at Stollery Children’s Hospital reported the use of complementary/alternative therapies compared with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (64.1% vs. 35.5%; P=.003).
The most commonly used products were multivitamins (70.6%), unspecified cold remedies (11.8%), and supplements of vitamin C (22.1%), calcium (13.2%) and fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids (11.8%). The complementary and/or alternative practices and procedures most frequently reported included massage (37.5%), faith healing (25%), chiropractic (20%), aromatherapy (15%) and Aboriginal healing (7.5%).
http://www.healio.com/cardiology/pediatric-cardiology/news/online/%7Bbe98298c-ed1b-469c-ab35-24480b832caa%7D/complementary-alternative-therapy-use-common-among-pediatric-cardiology-patients
