In rare cases, it could be deadly to give children alternative treatments instead of conventional medicines, says a new study. Researchers analyzed reports filed from 2001 to 2003 by Australian pediatricians about side effects caused by alternative medicines such as herbal treatments, vitamin supplements or naturopathic pills, the Associated Press reported. During that time, there were 39 reported cases of side effects, including four deaths, the researchers found. Nearly 65 percent of the cases involved infants to children aged 16. In 44 percent of the cases, pediatricians believed patient harm was the result of not using conventional medicines. The study was published online Thursday in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
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