Role of Ayurveda in the Management of Childhood Immunodeficiency Disorders

‘Swarnaprashana’ as a lehana chikitsa and several Ayurveda Rasayana drugs can boost the immune system in a specific or nonspecific manner including both innate or adaptive arms of the immune response and enhance the body’s overall natural resistance to the disease-causing agent rather than directly neutralize the agent itself in children. Aim: To critically review and analyze the role of Ayurveda in the management of childhood immunodeficiency disorders. Method: Various Traditional Ayurveda texts and books, magazines, and research journals as well as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Ayush research portal, and Clinical Trial Registry, India are used as a source of information about the immune-enhancing effect of Ayurveda drugs useful in childhood immunodeficiency disorders. Discussion: Immunodeficiency disorders are a group of heterogeneous disorders with immune system abnormalities characterized by various combinations of recurrent infections, autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, granulomatous process, etc. ‘Swarnaprashana’ as a lehana chikitsa and Ayurveda Rasayana drug helps the body resist its natural tendency to manage or tolerate the strength, severity, or progression of an illness as well as its natural tendency to prevent the emergence of an illness. ‘Swarnaprashana’ and Rasayana drugs are used as antioxidants, improving immune status, bactericidal & antimicrobial activity, antiviral, and protectives. It promotes an individual's strength, boosts immunity, and helps to prevent and overcome illness. When the immune system is compromised, it results in immunodeficiency, which leaves the body exposed to a variety of fatal illnesses. ‘Swarnaprashana’ and Rasayana drugs mentioned in Ayurveda classics are known to boost the immune system. Conclusion: The present paper reveals that ‘Swarnaprashana’ as lehana chikitsa and Ayurveda Rasayana drugs are effective in treating childhood immunodeficiency disorders.

Development, Cognition, Adaptive Function and Maladaptive Behavior in HIV-infected and HIV-exposed Uninfected Children Aged 2-9 Years

Objectives: To compare development/cognition, adaptive function and maladaptive behaviorof HIV-infected and HIV-exposed uninfected children between 2 to 9 years with HIV-uninfected controls. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conductedfrom November, 2013 to March, 2015. 50 seropositive HIV-infected, 25 HIV-exposeduninfected and 25 HIV-uninfected children between 2 to 9 years were administeredDevelopmental Profile 3, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale 2, and Child Behavior Checklistfor assessing development, adaptive function and maladaptive behaviour, respectively.Additional data were obtained by history, examination and review of records. Results:Significant developmental/cognitive impairment was observed in 38 (76%), 16 (64%) and 6(24%) HIV-infected, HIV-exposed uninfected, and HIV-uninfected children, respectively.Significant impairment in adaptive function was found in 12 (24%) and 2 (8%) HIV-infectedand HIV-exposed uninfected children, respectively. Maladaptive behavior was not seen in anygroup. Conclusions: High magnitude of impaired development/cognition and adaptivefunction in HIV-exposed and HIV-infected children warrants assessment of these domainsduring follow-up of these children, and incorporation of interventions for these deficits instandard care for this group.

Analysis of clinical features of 27 children with primary immunodeficiency / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the detection and clinical features of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) in children for an earlier diagnosis of disease.Methods The clinical data of the 27 children with PID diagnosed in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from Dec.2003 to Nov.2011 were reviewed,including illness history,birth history,family history,clinical feature,laboratory data,diagnosis,treatment and outcome,etc.Results In 27 children with PID,antibody deficiencies were the most frequent findings (48.15％,13/27 cases),followed by combined immunodeficiency (22.22％,6/27 cases),phagocytic disorders (14.81％,4/27 cases),and immunodeficiency with other major defects accounted for 14.81％ (4/27 cases).PID was characterized by recurrent,severe and prolonged infection,but all kinds of PID had their own clinical features.Recurrent infections occurred in 24 cases.Respiratory infections and otitis media were the most common clinical manifestation.Seven patients had a family history.The fatality rate was 37.04％ (10/27 cases).Conclusions There are vast varieties of PID in our area and antibody deficiencies are the most common type.All kinds of PID have their own clinical features,which may guide us to choose appropriate lab examination.There are nearly 25％ patients with PID who have family history.The fatality rate is high.Patients who suffer from recurrent infections,especially respiratory infections or otitis media,or those with a family history should have early immunology testing so as to be detected and diagnosed of PID earlier.

Hyper IgM Syndrome - An Immunodeficiency Disorder

A seven-year male child presented with history of recurrent life threatening infections associated with low IgA and IgG levels and significant elevation of IgM levels. He was diagnosed to have Hyper IgM syndrome. There was significant improvement after the immunoglobulin therapy. The child is now on regular immunoglobulin therapy and is free from recurrent infections. An index of suspicion to consider a possible diagnosis of immunodeficiency is stressed.