A COMMUNITY BASED STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF CHATURJATADI SAMBHARAKA ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH BALSHOSHA W.S.R. TO PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION

Introduction: The aim was this trial is to assess to evaluate the effect of “Chaturjatadi Sambharaka” in the management of malnutrition in Children. Material and methods: This research work was done in two phases. Phase one included demographic study and in phase two was clinical study. A Randomized open label-controlled trial was conducted on100 undernourished children of 1-10 years of age group. Total cases were divided into two groups (50 in each). In Group A, only Nutritional Rehabilitation (As per ICMR guidelines) was administered whereas in Group B, Nutritional Rehabilitation (As per ICMR guidelines) along with the trial drug Chaturjatadi Sambharaka was administered. The trial drug was administered in Avleha form in a dose 180-200 mg/kg/day in divided dose or 8 weeks and post follow up was done after month. Scoring of chief clinical features was done before and after treatment. Result: The clinical efficacy of the drug was analysed statistically on all parameters mentioned in the Assessment criteria. Both groups, showed statistically significant (P<0.001) improvement on anthropometric parameters- Weight, Height, BMI, MUAC, SFT, and Chest circumference. However, on Intergroup comparison, group B showed statistically significant advantage over group A (p<0.001). The trial (Group B) showed significant improvement on laboratory investigations in Hemoglobin level, Total Serum Protein and A: G ratio (p<0.001). Conclusion: The trial group (Group B) which included Chaturjatadi Sambharaka along with nutritional rehabilitation was effective in the management of PEM/Balshosha due to its therapeutic and nutritional properties: Deepana, Pachana, Balya, Brimhana, and Rasayana.