Abstract

REVIEW ON DOWN SYNDROME ACC. TO AYURVEDA AND MODERN SCIENCE

Dr. Satish Mundhe*, Dr. Lalita Patole and Dr. Karuna Ratnaparkhi

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Abstract

Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21 is the most common autosomal trisomy which accounts for more than one third of infants who are born with a chromosomal abnormality. Down Syndrome occurs more often in offspring of mothers conceiving at older age. Down Syndrome or Mongolism is the most common among the well-recognized causes of mental retardation. Incidence in India is 2.2 per 1,000 live births which is comparatively higher than the average overall figure of 1 in 600 for all races. Diagnosis is most likely made in the new born period itself. Children with Down Syndrome usually has both intellectual disability as well as physical retardation along with a flat facial profile and an upward slanting of eyes and epicanthic folds. These children suffer from recurrent respiratory infections and associated congenital heart disease is common in them. Ayurveda is science of medicine practicing in India from thousands of years; the literature of ayurveda encompasses description of genetics. Beeja (chromosome), beejabhaga (genes) and beejabhagavayava (fraction of part of chromosome) are important terms described by ayurveda to explain defects in sperm and ovum. The beeja, beejabhaga and beejabhagavayava are considered responsible for hereditary diseases along with other factors.

Keywords: Down Syndrome, Beeja, Beejabhaga, Beejabhagavayava.