Study of pattern of morbidity in children under 5 years and effect of Swarnaprashan on morbidity status

Abstract

Background: Infant and child mortality and morbidity remain a challenge especially in the developing world. More than half of the children (53.7%) are suffering from some form of illness. Recurrent respiratory infection, recurrent diarrhea, recurrent fever, etc. are the most common causes of morbidity in immune-compromised children. In India, 15% of death occurs during infancy and 1-5 years of age are due to respiratory infections. Diarrhea constitutes the most important cause of chronic morbidity followed by malnutrition. The objective of this research was to study the effect of swarnaprashan on morbidity status of the children under five years of age. Methods: A randomized, open-label study was conducted on 60 children of 06 months to 5 years of age and were randomly divided into two groups (30 in each). In Group A, trial drug (Swarnaprashan) was given and in Group B, there was regarded as 'No treatment concurrent control'. Results: In group A where trial drug (Swarnaprashan) was given, improvement in morbidity features were found whereas in group B which was 'No treatment concurrent control', 'not significant' results were obtained. Conclusion: Present research reveals that swarnaprashan works as an immune-modulator which decreased the morbidity rate and therefore can be a simple remedy to bring down the morbidity rate in children.