New Born Care with Ayurveda: A Review

Abstract

New born babies or neonates truly constitute the foundation of human life. They have unique health issues and problems due to structural and functional immaturity of various body organs depending upon their gestational age and birth weight. Neonatal death occurs in approximately 1 in 250 births. Africa and Southeast Asia represent approximately two thirds of neonatal deaths, with the largest number of new born deaths in South Asia and the highest rates of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, similar to child deaths. India contributes 25% of the world’s neonatal deaths. Three causes of neonatal death are responsible for approximately 75% of neonatal deaths: prematurity 28%, sepsis and pneumonia 26%, and asphyxia 23%. Care of the new born is described by both Ayurvedic and modern texts in detail. In ancient texts, Acharyas gave their opinions on every aspect of the care of new born (Navjat Shishu Parichariya) which starts from birth till new born attends full stability. The procedures involved in the Care of new born are Ulva parimarjana, Pranapratyagamana, Snana, Mukha vishodhan, Pichudharan, Garbhodaka vamana, Nala chedana, Jatakarma, Raksha karma, Suwarna prasana. With advancement of researches, all these techniques are getting scientific validation. Like Udaka Kumbha sthapana mentioned in Jatakarma can be understood with recently evolved “head cooling technique” for new born. Hence these or ancient wisdom regarding resuscitation, prevention of hypothermia, aspiration and infections and promotion of rooming in and early initiation of breast feeding will be dealt along with scientific evidences in this study.