Deadly risk of alternative therapies for children

ALTERNATIVE therapies can make children seriously ill – and even prove fatal – doctors warn.

The alert was prompted by a four-year-old boy with autism who was admitted to hospital after he became seriously ill.

His parents later revealed they had been giving their only child 12 supplements on the recommendation of a naturopath they had consulted for help with his condition.

Doctors said there had been several cases of severe illness and even deaths from youngsters using so-called ‘natural’ therapies.

Writing in the journal BMJ Case Reports, medics from St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London said the boy had been taken into A&E suffering acute vomiting, rapid weight loss, a loss of appetite and extreme thirst.

Tests revealed toxic levels of calcium and high levels of vitamin D, but doctors could not find any health conditions that may have caused his symptoms. After several days his parents admitted they had given him holistic supplements recommended by a naturopath – and doctors realised these were to blame.

They said his parents ‘were devastated that something they had given to their son with good intent had made him so unwell’.

The concoction of 12 supplements, which he had been given for several months, included calcium, vitamin D, cod liver oil, camel milk, silver, zinc and Epsom bath salts. He was treated with medication and large volumes of water to return his levels to normal and he made a full recovery within two weeks. Police have been investigating the naturopath.

In the report, doctors said: ‘Many families view these therapies as safer “natural” options. But, as this case demonstrates, there can be significant adverse effects which may go unrecognised due to lack of monitoring, recognition and experience with these therapies. There are many reported cases of complications, including fatalities.’