This study investigated the prevalence and outcomes of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), the factors affecting that use and families’ opinions of it. The level of use of CAM in the 111 children (8.4±3.3 years, 45% female) in the study was 19.8% (n=22, 95% CI: 12.3-27.2). CAM methods used were nutritional support (honey, sweet fruit drinks), herbal products (n=3, 13.6%) and alternative therapies (hot water bottles, suction cups) (n=4, 18.3%). Greater use of CAM was observed in children whose fathers had a high level of education and children from families with high monthly incomes (p=0.011, OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1-7.7, and p=0.007, OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.6-12.3, respectively). Children with FGIDs exhibited a significant level of CAM use. However, studies involving broader sections of society are needed to show the effectiveness, reliability and side effects of CAM use in children.

Keywords: <i>tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tedavi, fonksiyonel gastrointestinal hastalıklar.</i>