Alternative Care Popular Among Kids

The results of a random nationwide telephone survey of 1,501 mothers, fathers and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents showed that nearly one quarter (22%) of the parents used some type of alternative medicine for their child, and almost one in 10 allowed their child to visit a complementary and alternative medicine provider, defined in the study as a chiropractor, osteopathic physician or homeopath. The study also showed that more than one-third do not tell their medical doctor about it.

The story reported by the October 24, 2002 Web MD and by Reuters Health on October 28, 2002, more than 80% of the parents were somewhat or very satisfied with their child's most recent use of complementary and alternative medicines and 86% of parents considered the care to be somewhat or very helpful. Finally, 90% said they would be willing to use complementary and alternative medicines for their children in the future.

Dr. Michael B. Aldous of the University of Arizona in Tucson and colleagues conducted the survey and analyzed the results.