Alternative medicine left four-year-old boy fighting for life in A&E

A four-year-old boy ended up in a serious condition in A&E after his parents gave him alternative medicine to treat his autism.

The boy developed a potentially fatal condition after taking 12 different supplements over a number of months, including vitamin D, camel's milk, silver and Epsom bath salts.

His parents gave the boy the supplements in an attempt to treat his autism, but instead he lost 6.5lbs over three weeks and suffered vomiting and extreme thirst.

The incident has prompted doctors to warn against the possible dangers of using holistic supplements, with some health professionals stating that alternative medicine can offer false hope.

According to theBritish Medical Journal Case Reports, Dr Catriona Boyd and Dr Abdul Moodambail said it was not until the boy had been at Newham Hospital for several days that his mother told them about the holistic supplements.