COMPOSITE DIETARY MANAGEMENT WITH AGNI CHIKITSA IN MALNOURISHED CHILD-CASE STUDY
Dr. Sayali P. Dhodapkar* and Dr. Anil B. Kale
ABSTRACT
Malnutrition is prevalent in India and account for approximately 35%
deaths in children under five years of age. Such children very often
suffer from complications of malnutrition such as diarrhea, acute
respiratory infections, malaria and skin infections if not managed well.
Skin changes occur especially in kwashiorkor which consists of hypo
or hyper pigmentation, desquamation, ulcerations and exudative
lesions. In this case study an 8 year old child presented with
complications of severe to acute malnutrition (SAM) as severe
ulcerations of feet with generalized edema & itching. The SAM
management protocol consists of initial management of acute
consequences and later part includes dietary management with starter
diet (F-75) & catch up diet (F-100). But usually fewer efforts are taken to build proper
appetite to help body systems to digest heavy carbohydrates and protein containing feeds.
Such undigested material is called as Aama leading to Ajeerna. The case was managed with a
composite dietary plan based on Agni chikitsa to digest Aama along with regular wound care.
It showed significant reduction in edema, increase in appetite, better tolerance of protein rich
food and partial healing of skin lesions over a period of 15 days.
Keywords: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), complications of Severe Acute Malnutrition, Agni chikitsa.
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