A survey of herbal use in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder or depression.
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.
Cala
Suzanne
S
Kaiser Permanente, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Crismon
M Lynn
ML
Baumgartner
Jennifer
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D003120:Colorado; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D020900:Echinacea; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas
D028321:Plant Preparations