Modalities of natural and traditional medicine in neonates: A descriptive study at a hospital in Santiago de Cuba (2025)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.2710-995X/2025.13.02

Keywords:

infant newborn diseases, traditional medicine, methods, neonatology, health personnel

Abstract

Objective: To describe the modalities of Natural and Traditional Medicine (NTM) used in neonates at the "Tamara Bunke Bider" Hospital (January-July 2025). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 78 admitted neonates treated with NTM. Variables included gestational age, birth weight, conditions treated, modalities used, and staff perception. Results: Mean gestational age was 38.5 ± 2.1 weeks. Predominant conditions were irritability/sleep disorders (52.6%) and infant colic (20.5%). Music therapy (73.1%) and phytotherapy (39.7%) were the most frequent interventions. Notably, 85% of the staff perceived NTM as "very useful" adjuvant therapy. Conclusions: NTM is widely integrated into neonatal care for mild conditions, with high acceptance among health professionals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Miguel Enrique Barroso Fontanals, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Estudiante de Quinto Año de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina No. 2., Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Dagner Vargas González, Hospital Materno Norte Ginecobstétrico Docente "Tamara Bunke Bider", Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Especialista de I Grado en Neonatología, Profesor Instructor, Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Materno Norte Ginecobstétrico Docente "Tamara Bunke Bider", Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

References

Anbalagan, S., & Mendez, M. D. (2025). Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551498/

Chen, S. C., Lin, S. L., Wang, M., Cheung, D. S., Liang, J. G., Cheng, Z. Y., Yuen, C. S., & Yeung, W. F. (2024). Pediatric massage therapy in infants and children under 5 years: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. Heliyon, 10(16), e35993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35993

Haslbeck, F. B., Mueller, K., Karen, T., Loewy, J., Meerpohl, J. J., & Bassler, D. (2023). Musical and vocal interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9), CD013472. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013472.pub2

Hechavarría Torres, M., García Céspedes, M. E., & Tosar Pérez, M. A. (2021). Referentes históricos de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional para la formación del residente de medicina interna. Medisan, 25(2), 489–506. https://www.medigraphic.com/cgi-bin/new/resumen.cgi?IDARTICULO=104793

Kütük, B., Savaş, E. H., & Akarsu, Ö. (2025). Use of aromatherapy in neonatal care: benefits, risks, and nursing practices. CURARE Journal of Nursing, (8), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.26650/CURARE.2025.1690649

Maldonado Chávez, M., González Moreno, E., Olivares Paizan, G., Hechavarría Torres, M., Peralta Agramonte, L., & Lambert Delgado, A. R. (2024). La Medicina Natural y Tradicional en los residentes de Pediatría. EDUMECENTRO, 16, e5300. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2077-28742024000100053

Mangat, A. K., Oei, J. L., Chen, K., Quah-Smith, I., & Schmölzer, G. M. (2018). A review of non-pharmacological treatments for pain management in newborn infants. Children, 5(10), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/children5100130

Manobanda-Manobanda, E. M., Tirado-Falconi, M. F., & García-Beracierto. J. (2025). Terapias farmacológicas y no farmacológicas para el alivio del dolor del paciente crítico neonatal. Cienciamatria. Revista Interdisciplinaria de Humanidades, Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología, 11(20), 142-158. https://doi.org/10.35381/cm.v11i20.1543

Mezgebu, T., Ossabo, G., Zekiwos, A., Mohammed, H., & Demisse, Z. (2023). Neonatal sepsis and its associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Wachemo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 2022. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11, 1184205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1184205

Molina Pérez, J. N., & Pérez Pérez, M. E. (2016). Utilización de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional, un reto en atención primaria de salud. Revista Cubana de Medicina Natural y Tradicional, 1(1). https://revmnt.sld.cu/index.php/rmnt/article/download/20/40?inline=1

Papatzikis, E., Agapaki, M., Selvan, R. N., Hanson-Abromeit, D., Gold, C., Epstein, S., ... & Pandey, V. (2024). Music medicine and music therapy in neonatal care: a scoping review of passive music listening research applications and findings on infant development and medical practice. BMC Pediatrics, 24(1), 829. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-05275-z

Rodríguez-Núñez, I. C., Figueredo-Guerra, E. de la C., Casanova-Domínguez, Y., & Núñez-Ferrales, A. D. (2022). Intervención educativa para incrementar el conocimiento y uso de la medicina natural y tradicional. EsTuSalud, 4(1), e98. http://revestusalud.sld.cu/index.php/estusalud/article/view/98

Romero-García, P. A., Ramirez-Perez, S., Miguel-González, J. J., Guzmán-Silahua, S., Castañeda-Moreno, J. A., Komninou, S., & Rodríguez-Lara, S. Q. (2024). Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practices: A Narrative Review Elucidating the Impact on Healthcare Systems, Mechanisms and Paediatric Applications. Healthcare, 12(15), 1547. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151547

Souza, A. D. Z., Ceolin, T., Vargas, N. R. C., Heck, R. M., Vasconcellos, C. L., Borges, A. M., & Mendieta, M. C. (2011). Plantas medicinales utilizadas en la salud infantil. Enfermería Global, 24, 46-52. https://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/eg/v10n24/clinica4.pdf

Toma, C.-C., Marrelli, M., Puticiu, M., Conforti, F., & Statti, G. (2024). Effects of Arnica Phytotherapeutic and Homeopathic Formulations on Traumatic Injuries and Inflammatory Conditions: A Systematic Review. Plants, 13(21), 3112. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213112

van der Heijden, M. J., Oliai Araghi, S., Jeekel, J., Reiss, I. K., Hunink, M. G., & van Dijk, M. (2016). Do Hospitalized Premature Infants Benefit from Music Interventions? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS ONE, 11(9), e0161848. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161848

World Health Organization. (2024). WHO global report on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine 2024. Ginebra: OMS. ISBN: 978-92-4-011138-7

Published

2026-03-02

How to Cite

Barroso Fontanals, M. E., & Vargas González, D. (2026). Modalities of natural and traditional medicine in neonates: A descriptive study at a hospital in Santiago de Cuba (2025). Orange Journal, 7(13), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.2710-995X/2025.13.02

Issue

Section

Artículos