ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN NAVJATA SHISHU PARICHARYA W.S.R. TO NEONATAL CARE – A REVIEW STUDY

*Vd. Manish G. Ishwarkar and Vd. Vijaykumar U. Gawai

ABSTRACT

Primary goal of Neonatal Resuscitation is to establish adequate respiration and cardiac output in asphyxiated New-born at birth to prevent early neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, every baby requires immediate care at birth. As Modern Science explained the procedures of New-born Care, our Ancient Ayurveda has explained the same in the literature. The term Prana Pratyagaman used in Charaka Samhita is very much similar to Resuscitation. It is defined as reappearance of Prana by respiratory effort, circulation and body movements. Most babies have a smooth transition from foetal to neonatal life and establish spontaneous breathing at birth without any active assistance. About 5 to 10% babies are likely to have difficulty in initiating spontaneous breathing at birth and need active resuscitation. Various procedures were advised in the management of New-born child by Acharyas with a few differences in opinion regarding the sequences of those procedures. The steps included in Neonatal Care or Navjata Shishu Paricharya are Prana Pratyagaman (neonatal resuscitation), Ulva parimarjan (wiping and drying of baby), Mukh vishodhan (oropharyngeal cleaning), Naalchedan (cutting of umbilical cord), Snana (bath), Garbhodak vaman (clearing of stomach), Jatkarma (birth rites), Rakshakarma (protective measures). The main aim and objective of this paper is to compare the ancient Ayurvedic and Modern methods of resuscitating a Newborn.

Keywords: Pranapratyagaman, Resuscitation, Mukh vishodhan, Garbhodak vaman, Jatkarma.