Abstract
Complementary and alternative treatment approaches are becoming more common among children with chronic conditions. The prevalence of CAM use among US adults was estimated to be around 42% in 2015 and around 44% to 50% among adults with neurologic disorders. Studies demonstrate that children with certain chronic illnesses such as asthma, cancer, genetic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental disorders are treated with complementary and alternative treatments at higher rates. Dietary therapies are gaining increasing popularity in the mainstream population. Although the majority of “fad” diets do not have enough supporting evidence, some dietary therapies have been utilized for decades and have numerous published studies. The objective of this review is to describe the dietary interventions used in children with the specific chronic conditions, to evaluate their efficacy based on published data and to encourage pharmacist involvement in the management and care of such patients.
Highlights
Complementary and alternative treatment approaches are becoming more common among children with chronic conditions
Other studies demonstrate that children with certain chronic conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental illnesses, utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at higher rates (24%) [4,5,6,7]
The objective of this review is to describe the dietary interventions used in children with the specific chronic conditions, to evaluate their efficacy based on published data, and to encourage pharmacist involvement in the management and care of such patients
Summary
Complementary and alternative treatment approaches are becoming more common among children with chronic conditions. The NIH Center for Complementary and Integrative health estimated the use of CAM among US children to be at 11.6%, with natural products (fish oil/omega-3, melatonin, and probiotics) being the most commonly used [1]. 31% and 17% respectively [7] Many natural products, such as fish oil/omega-3 and probiotics, are well supported by studies for their place in the prevention and treatment of certain conditions. CAM approaches, such as dietary interventions, pose potential challenges when integrated with conventional treatments as well as with the risk of adverse effects. For those patients who are undergoing integrative treatment, close collaborative management from health-care providers is essential in ensuring the success of therapy and the well-being of the patient. The objective of this review is to describe the dietary interventions used in children with the specific chronic conditions, to evaluate their efficacy based on published data, and to encourage pharmacist involvement in the management and care of such patients
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