Abstract

AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE: DRUG DOSE IN PAEDIATRICS

Dr. Kavita Gange*, Dr. Mahesh Jadhav and Dr. Jayprakash Khairnar

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Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient science. Acharyas used various formulations in order to maintain their health. A branch of Ayurveda which deals with the diseases of children and their treatment is Kaumarbhritya. In pediatric patients, dose fixation is a difficult job for both Ayurvedic as well as Allopathic physicians. In Any medical science, success of treatment depends upon diagnosis, selection of drug, fixation of dose and time of administration. The pediatric dosing system has been well explained by Acharya Kashyapa who is the pioneer of Ayurvedic pediatric medicine. In different treaties of Ayurveda, the Matra (Dose) of a drug has been mentioned. In ancient era, the technology was not evolved so the Ayurvedic physicians were using different Matra for different dosage forms and the dose was fixed considering the following factors such as age, Satva, Prakriti, Bala etc. This article is aimed to understand the view of ancient sages related to pediatric drug doses from different Ayurvedic classics. As a child is born, varioussteps are being taken to prevent him from diseases and making him healthy. Such steps include swarnaprashan, lehan and ingestion of other particular medicine. The drugs are given in some particular doses like amalkasthi, kolasthi, masha, shana etc. Further in this review paper we will try to explain the various dosage forms with their respective doses which are important in child to maintain their health and cure diseases.

Keywords: dose, formulations, children, pediatric care.