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.
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