Uso cultural e científico das plantas medicinais na população pediátrica com doença falciforme: aspectos clínicos e ambientais

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic inheritance, with African origin, with the North and Northeast regions being the most affected in terms of prevalence in Brazil. The most advanced treatments available for the disease are beyond the reach of the majority of the affected world population. Therefore, Traditional Medicine (involving medicinal plants, phytomedicines and nutraceuticals, as well as alternative interventions) is widely used by such people, both due to its low cost, availability and accessibility, and because it is culturally well accepted. Objective: To understand the cultural and scientific use of medicinal plants in DF, with its clinical and environmental implications in Pediatrics, especially in Tocantins (TO). Methodology: This is a literature review study, followed by a documentary study (with review of medical records) and a population survey, involving both families with children and adolescents with sickle cell disease, as well as health professionals, with subsequent application through a guide and protocol for the care of pediatric patients with SCD in Tocantins. Results: In the systematic literature review, 305 species of medicinal plants used in SCD were described; of these, 46 were found in Tocantins herbaria. In the review of 154 active medical records of pediatric patients with SCD at the outpatient clinic in the state capital (Palmas-TO), 70.1% reported the use of medicinal plants, with 64 species mentioned in total, but 41 of them were not found in the literature review. In the 50 questionnaires answered by family members of pediatric patients with SCD, 84% reported the use of medicinal plants, with 52 species cited in total, however 34 of them were not found in the literature review. In the 62 questionnaires answered by health professionals in the state, only four reported having knowledge about medicinal plants in the SCD. A clinical protocol was created to assist in the monitoring of pediatric patients with SCD in the TO and a guide on medicinal plants for the disease. Conclusion: The majority of patients in this study use both Conventional and Traditional/Complementary/Alternative Medicine, while most health professionals demonstrated a lack of knowledge on the subject, which leads to the need for more studies in these areas, especially in Pediatrics, aiming at patient safety and articulating the cultural and scientific use of medicinal plants.