Supplement use growing among children and adolescents.

SUMMARY Many pediatric patients, especiallythose with chronic or recurrent conditions,use dietary supplements. It is critical thatphysicians open a dialogue with theirpatients and their families about the use ofdietary supplements and herbal remedies.It is important for parents to research whatis known about the efficacy and safety of asupplement when considering giving it totheir children. Physicians must becomefamiliar with evidenced-based resources,as well as federal and professional guide-lines. REFERENCES 1. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Actof 1994, 21 USC 321-350 and 42 USC 281, 287(2002).2. Muller JL, Clauson KA. Pharmaceutical consid-eration of common herbal medicine. Am JManag Care. 1997;3(11):1753-1770.3. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al.Trends in alternative medicine use in the UnitedStates, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up nation-al survey. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1569-1575.4. Blumenthal M. herbal market levels after fiveyears of boom. HerbalGram . 1999;47(47):64-65.5. Kleinman R. Current approaches to standards ofcare for children: how does the pediatric com-munity currently approach this issue?