OBJECTIVE: To examine whether herbal medicines were given to children or adolescents receiving care for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder or depression. METHODS: Between October 2000 and July 2001, a 23-item questionnaire was administered in five community mental health centers in Texas. Parents or primary caregivers of children who received a psychiatric assessment were sought for participation. One hundred seventeen caregivers completed a questionnaire. The main outcome measure was primary caregivers' self-report of the use of herbal therapy in their children. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of herbal therapy in patients was 20% (23 patients). Eighteen patients (15%) had taken herbal medicines during the past year. Recommendations from a friend or relative resulted in the administration of herbal medicines by 61% of 23 caregivers. Herbal medicines were given most frequently for a behavioral condition, with ginkgo biloba, echinacea, and St. John's wort most prevalent. Almost 83% of caregivers gave herbal medicines alone, whereas 13% gave herbal medicines with prescription drugs. Most caregivers (78%) supervised the administration of herbal therapy in their children; the children's psychiatrists (70%), pediatricians (56%), or pharmacists (74%) typically were not aware of the use. CONCLUSIONS: Most caregivers supervised herbal therapy in their children, without communication with a health professional. A need exists for better communication between health professionals and caregivers regarding the use of herbal therapy.
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether herbal medicines were given to children or adolescents receiving care for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder or depression. METHODS: Between October 2000 and July 2001, a 23-item questionnaire was administered in five community mental health centers in Texas. Parents or primary caregivers of children who received a psychiatric assessment were sought for participation. One hundred seventeen caregivers completed a questionnaire. The main outcome measure was primary caregivers' self-report of the use of herbal therapy in their children. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of herbal therapy in patients was 20% (23 patients). Eighteen patients (15%) had taken herbal medicines during the past year. Recommendations from a friend or relative resulted in the administration of herbal medicines by 61% of 23 caregivers. Herbal medicines were given most frequently for a behavioral condition, with ginkgo biloba, echinacea, and St. John's wort most prevalent. Almost 83% of caregivers gave herbal medicines alone, whereas 13% gave herbal medicines with prescription drugs. Most caregivers (78%) supervised the administration of herbal therapy in their children; the children's psychiatrists (70%), pediatricians (56%), or pharmacists (74%) typically were not aware of the use. CONCLUSIONS: Most caregivers supervised herbal therapy in their children, without communication with a health professional. A need exists for better communication between health professionals and caregivers regarding the use of herbal therapy.
Authors: Kimberly Sidora-Arcoleo; H Lorrie Yoos; Harriet Kitzman; Ann McMullen; Elizabeth Anson Journal: J Pediatr Health Care Date: 2008-03-04 Impact factor: 1.812
Authors: Wendy Weber; Ann Vander Stoep; Rachelle L McCarty; Noel S Weiss; Joseph Biederman; Jon McClellan Journal: JAMA Date: 2008-06-11 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Paula Gardiner; Catherine Buettner; Roger B Davis; Russell S Phillips; Kathi J Kemper Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2008-03-31 Impact factor: 3.659