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October 21, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Doctors: Internet Information Can Help or Harm Patients" Boston Herald (www.bostonherald.com) (10/20/02) P. 19; Szaniszlo, Marie

Parents of chronically ill children are using the Internet to find alternative forms of treatment, which allows them to feel more in control over the disease; however, such online information is often unregulated and without proof of effectiveness, explains American Academy of Pediatrics chairman Adrian Sandler.  For example, many Web sites advise against immunizations, when in fact immunizations are important to a child's well-being.  On many Web sites, there lacks a differential between authentic treatments and untested treatments, which leads to many parents trying to help their children but in the end harming them instead.  Boston-based Children's Hospital director of medical ethics Douglas Diekema asserts that parents opting for alternative treatments for their children should inform pediatricians of their actions.

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