AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO DOWN SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Down syndrome or trisomy 21 is a genetic condition with a myriad of symptoms and the risk of the child having the syndrome increases as the age of conception of the mother increases. Children with Down syndrome usually has variety of health issues concerning almost all the systems. The syndrome is the one of the major causes for mental handicap. This case report deals with the Ayurvedic management of Down syndrome in a three and a half year old male child presented with complaints of delayed speech, drooling of saliva and inattentive behavior. The child was diagnosed with Down syndrome and was undergoing allopathic treatment for the same. The case was treated with Abhyanga (body massage), Utsadana (Ayurvedic Body scrub), Sirolepanam and Matravasti with Ayurvedic drugs and physiotherapy was also carried out. The patient showed considerable improvement of the presenting symptoms and was discharged after 21 days with instructions to take medicines internally, undergo physiotherapy and attend special school.