Efficacy of Ayurveda Interventions in Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

According to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in India, around 46 percent of all children below the age of three are too small, and 35.7% are underweight and come under MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition). Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) can be correlated with Karshya, Balashosha, Phakka, Parigarbhika, Sushka Revati, and Apatarpanjanya Vyadhi based on similar clinical features. Multiple evidencebased clinical studies are conducted in this sector, but no comparative conclusion of results or systemic review is accomplished. The study aims to evaluate and compare Ayurveda interventions' efficacy in managing children's protein energy malnutrition and to assess the effect of Ayurveda Interventions on weight gain and serum protein values in children suffering from PEM. This systemic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook of Systemic review of interventions and is reported following the Preferred Reporting Guideline for Systemic review and meta-analysis guidelines (PRISMA). All study groups showed significant p values within the group and insignificant p values in the fixed random effect model. Though the p-value is insignificant between the groups, one group among the four shows better results in the fixed effect model. In the primary outcome of weight, group 3, i.e., the category of drugs having Bruhana and Pachana combination, shows better results than other groups in the fixed effect model. In the outcome of serum protein values, BMI, and Head circumference, group 4, i.e., drugs with only Bruhana properties, show better results than other groups. Based on this review, few policies or treatment protocols can be hypothesized for managing PEM at the national level. The Ayurveda intervention combinations have worked better because they work on multiple aetiological factors and biological variations in PEM in Children.