Doctors have warned of the use of “alternative medicines” for children with autism after a four-year-old boy fell ill after taking a variety of vitamin supplements.
The child was taken to Accident and Emergency having lost three kilos in weight after vomiting and being constipated for three weeks.
Doctors diagnosed the child with severe hypercalcaemia, caused by extremely high calcium levels in his blood.
After a three-day investigation, doctors and police found that the child was given a combination of 12 alternative medicines recommend by a naturopath, including calcium, vitamin D, camel milk, and zinc.
Doctors from Barts Health NHS Trust said: “His parents were devastated that something they had given to their son with good intent had made him so unwell.
“The safeguarding team became involved as well as the police to investigate the naturopath who had advised the therapies.
“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.”
Jane Harris, of the National Autistic Society, said: “This awful case shows we need more professionals in place to give families accurate advice and talk to them about what really helps and how to find the right support.
“It’s crucial that doctors and healthcare professionals take the concerns of families seriously and are able to talk through the potential risks of alternative therapies, even when they might seem harmless.”