Complementary and alternative medicine use by Japanese children with pediatric surgical diseases

Keiichi Uchida, Mikihiro Inoue, Kohei Otake, Yuhki Koike, Masato Kusunoki

Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojped.2013.32010                

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to survey the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in Japanese children with major pediatric surgical diseases. Methods: This survey was mailed to each family of 355 patients. Results: One hundred fifty-three (43%) of 355 mailed questionnaires were completely returned. Forty-one (27%) of 153 parents responded that they used CAM for their child. There was no significant difference in CAM use according to sex, mean age, follow-up duration, family CAM users, and associated disorders between CAM users and non-users. Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were significantly more likely to use CAM than children without IBD (65% vs 21%, p = 0.0001). Only 20% of parents informed the attending physicians about CAM before its use. Conclusions: It is important for physicians caring for children with pediatric surgical disease, especially IBD, to be familiar with common forms of CAM.

Keywords

Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Children; Pediatric Surgery

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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