CAM 'dangerous to children'
Thursday 23rd December 2010
Complementary medicines (CAM) can be dangerous for children if substituted for conventional medicine, according to an audit.
Parents often give their children CAM treatments, assuming they are superior because they are "natural", found the authors of the study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
The audit found that between 2001 and 2003, there were 46 occurrences of adverse events reported, including bleeding, pain, allergic reactions, seizures, vomiting, stunted growth, infections and four deaths.
"Discussions with families about CAM use may empower them to talk about any medication changes suggested by a CAM practitioner before altering or ceasing the medication," recommend the authors.
This comes after the Royal Pharmaceutical Society called for the next Scottish government to grant pharmacists extra powers to help patients.
These powers include providing access to health records and prescribing some medicines, according to the society's manifesto for the 2011 Scottish Elections.
Written by Martin Lambert
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