Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLE- NAVJATA SHISHU PARICHARYA (NEONATAL CARE) IN AYURVEDA

Dr. Pratima K. Hiwale* and Dr. Anil B. Kale

Abstract

Navjata shishu paricharya (care of the new-born) starts right from birth of the baby and continues up to the early neonatal stage of the life. In Ayurveda and modern science neonatal care has been explained for the easy adaptation of the baby after birth to outer environment without any complication so that the new-born mortality and morbidity gets reduced. Navjata shishu paricharya (care of the new-born) has been described in Brihattrayi with varied details. The steps included in Navjata Shishu Paricharya are Prana pratyagamana (neonatal resuscitation), Ulva parimarjana (cleaning of the vernix caseosa), Naalchedan (cutting of umbilical cord), Mukh vishodhan (cleaning of oral cavity), Garbhodak vamana (cleaning of new-born’s stomach), Snana (neonatal bath), Jata karma (birth rite) and Raksha karma (protection of baby). The modern paediatrics also describes care of the new-born and resuscitation in the discipline of the Neonatology. The cultural practices mentioned in Ayurvedic compendia literally go hand in hand with that of the steps of resuscitation. The harmful cultural practices must be avoided and useful practices must be selectively promoted.

Keywords: Navjata Shishu Paricharya, Pranapartayagamana, Mukha vishodhna, Jatakarma, Raksha karma.