Epidemiology
Case
A third year medical student on a pediatric rotation protests learning any more about herbs and supplements. “I know that adults use a lot of this stuff, but how many kids really take herbs and supplements anyway?”
Question
True or False?
True
Over 25% of adolescent male athletes and over 30% of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions have used herbs/dietary supplements other than multivitamins.

 
A surprisingly high number of children use herbs and dietary supplements. Use is highest among those with chronic, recurrent or incurable conditions – just the kind of patients you are most likely to see. But even healthy athletic kids are using or have tried a variety of hormonal therapies (such as androgens and DHEA), protein powders and amino acid supplements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Our list of books, databases, and resources:
http://www.mcphs.edu/herbal//resources.htm

Some of the latest research on herbs from the Herb Research Foundation:
http://www.herbs.org/current/topnews.html

KidsHealth.org, a reliable site for teens, sponsored by the Nemours Foundation: http://kidshealth.org/teen/body_basics/diet_supplements.html

The FDA's site about herbs and supplements:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000015.html

Drugstore.com, one of many sites where your patients can buy herbs
online: http://www.drugstore.com/templates/stddept/default.asp?catid=30

 


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Last Updated: August 13, 2001
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