Abstract

The use of complementary and alternative medicine has been increasing in recent years. Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatrics are generally used in children with chronic illness/disabilities. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is also one of these chronic diseases. In this study, information on the use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was presented using scientific evidences. An literature search using the key words, “complementary”, “alternative”, “complementary and alternative medicine”, “integrative medicine”, “children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus” was performed by internet search in November-December, 2017 using Google Scholar, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Science. Researches between 2007-2017 have been included. Descriptive, cross-sectional, randomized controlled, double blind placebo controlled between 2007-2017; child and parent based studies have been examined and 13 studies have been included in the study. Although the studies on the use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus are limited, their use varies between 18% and 56%, their use is affected by sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their parents. It is observed that the most used complementary and alternative medicine in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus are herbal therapies, vitamins/minerals, nutritional/dietary supplements, prayer/spirutual practices, homeopathy and acupuncture. Studies have shown in children that these treatments are not particularly effective at HbA1c levels, that there is limited evidence of benefit-injury assessment, and that children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus require further evidence-based clinical trials.

Keywords: Alternative; Complementary; Complementary and alternative medicine; Integrative medicine; Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus