title: Complementary and alternative therapies: use in pediatric pulmonary medicine.
abstract: With increased awareness of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) and concern of potential adverse effects or limited effectiveness of conventional medications, patients and parents are looking to CAM approaches as either an alternative or as adjunct therapy, especially for chronic diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. It is important that practitioners have adequate information so that patients and parents receive balanced and accurate information, especially regarding safety and potential efficacy. This review provides an overview of some of the more frequently used CAM therapies for children with chronic pulmonary disorders and summarizes the basic principles of each modality, along with efficacy and safety data.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614-3394, USA. ychung@childrensmemorial.org
authors.forename: Youngran
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dumont
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine; D016896:Treatment Outcome