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Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Constitutional Medicine in Improving Growth Standards in Children with Reference to WHO & IAP – Pediatric Growth Chart
Corresponding Author(s) : Shruti Taragi
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2024): 2024 Volume -12 - Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Persistent inadequate calorie intake can hinder children's growth, leading to a cumulative impact on linear growth. This global concern manifests as stunted height growth and subsequent weight loss, known as wasting, indicative of acute malnutrition.
Aim and Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic constitutional medicine in promoting children's development, using WHO and IAP development charts as benchmarks. The primary goal was to assess the impact of homoeopathic treatment on children's growth trajectories.
Material and Methods: A prospective interventional study included 70 children aged 1 to 18 years exhibiting growth variations according to WHO and IAP Growth Charts. Medication tailored to constitutional totality was administered, with regular follow-ups and nutritional guidance. Anthropometric measurements were recorded at intervals, and statistical analyses compared pre- and post-treatment growth parameters. Results: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of homoeopathy in addressing suboptimal growth standards. The t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in growth percentiles before and after treatment (p-value < 0.05), supporting the hypothesis that homoeopathy is beneficial in improving children's weight.
Conclusion: Homoeopathic constitutional medicine shows promise in enhancing children's growth standards in line with WHO and IAP recommendations. These findings highlight homoeopathy as a potential supplementary therapy for addressing pediatric growth issues.
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- Loudon I. A brief history of homeopathy. J R Soc Med. 2006 Dec;99(12):607-10. doi: 10.1177/014107680609901206. PMID: 17139061; PMCID: PMC1676328.
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- Simpson N, Roman K. Complementary medicine use in children: extent and reasons. A population-based study. Br J Gen Pract. 2001;51(472):914. https://bjgp.org/content/51/472/914.short
- Bailey, Philip M. Homeopathic Psychology: Personality Profiles of the Major Constitutional Remedies. North Atlantic Books, 1995. Nov 30.
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- Jayasuriya, Anton. Clinical homoeopathy. B. Jain Publishers, 2003.
- Malnourishment in India: Why it’s very hard to find healthy kids in India. Available from: https://www.edexlive.com/news.html
- Soldner G, Stellman HM. Individual Paediatrics: Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of Diagnosis and Counseling--Anthroposophic-homeopathic Therapy. CRC Press; 2014 May 28.
- Sergi C, Mikuz G. External quality assurance as a revalidation method for pathologists in pediatric histopathology: Comparison of four international programs. BMC clinical pathology. 2008 Dec;8:1-8. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6890-8-11
- Deml, Michael. Understanding vaccine hesitancy and under-immunization with childhood and human papilloma virus vaccines in Switzerland: a qualitative study. Diss. University_of_Basel, 2020. https://edoc.unibas.ch/76635/
- Balachandran A, Paul AK, Sinha A. IAP Textbook of Paediatrics. 5th ed. Parthasarathy A, Gupta P, editors. 2013.
- Girsen AI, Mayo JA, Carmichael SL, Phibbs CS, Shachar BZ, Stevenson DK, Lyell DJ, Shaw GM, Gould JB, March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Women's prepregnancy underweight as a risk factor for preterm birth: a retrospective study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2016 Nov;123(12):2001-7. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1471-0528.14027
- Slow Weight Gain in Infants and Children Symptoms & Causes Boston Children’s Hospital.
- Tiwari SK. Homoeopathy & Childcare. B Jain publishers, New Delhi(P) Ltd; 101- 107 p.
- Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 5th&6th ed. B jain publishers New Delhi(P)Ltd.
- Boericke W. Boericke’s New Manual of Homeoeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory. Third Revi. CEO, B.Jain Publishers; 2007.
- Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 22nd ed. M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2013. 500-501 p.
- Niekerk V, Louw Q E; Original Research: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in a multiracial group.
- Elizabeth KE. Nutrition and Child Development. 3rd ed. Paras medical publisher; 2004. 134-155 p.
- De Onis M. WHO Child Growth Standards - Length/Height- for-age, Weight-for-age, Weight-for-length, Weight-for-height, and Body Mass Index-for age: Methods and Development. World Health Organization; 2006.336 p. Available from: https://cran.project.org/web/packages/zscorer/vignettes/anthropometry.htm
- India has largest number of malnourished children in the world. Available from: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/OIdNvn30nqdrGQC6pARu3J/India-has-largest-number-of-malnourished-children-in-the-wor.html.
- Jain PB. Essentials of Paediatrics. Publisher: Nitya Publication, Pp.222.
- Balachandran A, Paul AK, Sinha A. IAP Textbook of Paediatrics. 5th ed. Parthasarathy A, Gupta P, editors. 2013. 60-76 p.
- Tiwari SK. Homoeopathy & Childcare. B jain publishers New Delhi(P)Ltd; 101- 107 p.
- Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 22nd ed. M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2013. 500-501 p.
References
Loudon I. A brief history of homeopathy. J R Soc Med. 2006 Dec;99(12):607-10. doi: 10.1177/014107680609901206. PMID: 17139061; PMCID: PMC1676328.
Ekins‐Daukes S, Helms PJ, Taylor MW, Simpson CR, McLay JS. Paediatric homoeopathy in general practice: where, when and why?. British journal of clinical pharmacology. 2005 Jun;59(6):743-9. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02213.x
Simpson N, Roman K. Complementary medicine use in children: extent and reasons. A population-based study. Br J Gen Pract. 2001;51(472):914. https://bjgp.org/content/51/472/914.short
Bailey, Philip M. Homeopathic Psychology: Personality Profiles of the Major Constitutional Remedies. North Atlantic Books, 1995. Nov 30.
Jonas WB, Kaptchuck T, Linde K. A critical view of homeopathy. Ann Intern Med 2003;139(8): 393-9. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-139-8-200310210-00026-w4
Cameron, Noël, and Nicola L. Hawley. "Should the UK use WHO growth charts?" Pediatrics and Child Health 20.4 (2010): 151-156. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751722209003229
Jayasuriya, Anton. Clinical homoeopathy. B. Jain Publishers, 2003.
Malnourishment in India: Why it’s very hard to find healthy kids in India. Available from: https://www.edexlive.com/news.html
Soldner G, Stellman HM. Individual Paediatrics: Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of Diagnosis and Counseling--Anthroposophic-homeopathic Therapy. CRC Press; 2014 May 28.
Sergi C, Mikuz G. External quality assurance as a revalidation method for pathologists in pediatric histopathology: Comparison of four international programs. BMC clinical pathology. 2008 Dec;8:1-8. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6890-8-11
Deml, Michael. Understanding vaccine hesitancy and under-immunization with childhood and human papilloma virus vaccines in Switzerland: a qualitative study. Diss. University_of_Basel, 2020. https://edoc.unibas.ch/76635/
Balachandran A, Paul AK, Sinha A. IAP Textbook of Paediatrics. 5th ed. Parthasarathy A, Gupta P, editors. 2013.
Girsen AI, Mayo JA, Carmichael SL, Phibbs CS, Shachar BZ, Stevenson DK, Lyell DJ, Shaw GM, Gould JB, March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Women's prepregnancy underweight as a risk factor for preterm birth: a retrospective study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2016 Nov;123(12):2001-7. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1471-0528.14027
Slow Weight Gain in Infants and Children Symptoms & Causes Boston Children’s Hospital.
Tiwari SK. Homoeopathy & Childcare. B Jain publishers, New Delhi(P) Ltd; 101- 107 p.
Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 5th&6th ed. B jain publishers New Delhi(P)Ltd.
Boericke W. Boericke’s New Manual of Homeoeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory. Third Revi. CEO, B.Jain Publishers; 2007.
Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 22nd ed. M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2013. 500-501 p.
Niekerk V, Louw Q E; Original Research: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in a multiracial group.
Elizabeth KE. Nutrition and Child Development. 3rd ed. Paras medical publisher; 2004. 134-155 p.
De Onis M. WHO Child Growth Standards - Length/Height- for-age, Weight-for-age, Weight-for-length, Weight-for-height, and Body Mass Index-for age: Methods and Development. World Health Organization; 2006.336 p. Available from: https://cran.project.org/web/packages/zscorer/vignettes/anthropometry.htm
India has largest number of malnourished children in the world. Available from: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/OIdNvn30nqdrGQC6pARu3J/India-has-largest-number-of-malnourished-children-in-the-wor.html.
Jain PB. Essentials of Paediatrics. Publisher: Nitya Publication, Pp.222.
Balachandran A, Paul AK, Sinha A. IAP Textbook of Paediatrics. 5th ed. Parthasarathy A, Gupta P, editors. 2013. 60-76 p.
Tiwari SK. Homoeopathy & Childcare. B jain publishers New Delhi(P)Ltd; 101- 107 p.
Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 22nd ed. M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2013. 500-501 p.