Regulating Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Children

Proposed Limits on CAM use by Children
New Jersey Senator
Cory Anthony Booker
P.O. BOX 07001, AVEL.
18TH-07-2022
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) AND CHILDREN
Dear Senator,
I am writing this letter to describe the potential risks of CAM to children. I also explain the need for legal regulation and propose CAM limits for children.
CAM is a series of therapies that goes beyond the conventional treatment methods. The word "complementary" means the treatment is effective. While the "alternative" means the treatment is less traditional. Integrative health is necessary for integrating evidence-based CAM therapies. The main alternatives are yoga, massage therapy for back pains, and acupuncture.
The number of parents turning to CAM treatment is increasing due to the assumption of its safety. The use of CAM has increased despite limited data regarding clinical trials on children (Levy et al.). Caregivers underestimate that there is little data on CAM treatment for children. Infants treated with CAM instead of conventional treatment experience adverse health outcomes. According to Mann (2010), a child with epilepsy lost his life due to CAM treatment. Parents should know that CAM treatment has adverse effects. They should communicate with doctors before changing their children’s medication. CAM is not a new concept, particularly for those with recurrent conditions. Many children receive both CAM treatment and traditional therapies.
Limited data show the safety of CAM therapies and their adverse effects. Standardization helps in assessing the safety of CAM therapies. A single herbal ingredient might cause adverse effects from using a particular product. Besides, products with the same ingredients might differ in herb content and strength. CAM therapies have caused various severe effects and toxicities. Some reports show contamination of heavy metals. The major metals that impose risks are lead and arsenic. Other reports suggest that some herbal products contain pharmacotherapeutic agents. The indirect effect of using CAM is that it diminishes other alternatives.
Different challenges in evaluating the safety and efficiency of CAM therapies are evident. For instance, variations in control and normalization are not evident. The FDA considers herbal products as dietary supplements. Thus, no documentation of safety and efficacy is necessary. Before the products are introduced to the market, documentation is necessary. The state must prove the safety and efficiency of medication before public release. Also, herbal manufacturers are not required to report their goods’ severe effects. There is a special consideration when determining CAM efficacy, such as the heterogeneity of products. Limited regulation on used practices results in heterogeneity that hinders treatment efficiency. Reduced monetization of CAM poses threats to children. They have weak body defense systems which cannot sustain the effects.
The state should focus on legal regulations on using CAM on children. CAM providers are increasing every day, but few undergo comprehensive training. Thus, they do not understand effective ways of providing treatment. CAM provide...