Affiliation among Infantile Age, Morbidity and Prakriti (Physical Constitution): A Longitudinal Preliminary Study

Background: Prakriti has important role in prevention, diagnosis, treatment of disease and forecast of future disorders. Infants are more prone to develop various health problems like infections, due to poor immune system. This study shows relation between infantile age morbidity and their Prakriti (physical constitution) in present scenario. Material and Methods: For this longitudinal study 100 infants were registered for Prakriti assessment and their relationship with incidence of diseases. Performa for Prakriti assessment in infants was developed by Department of Kaumarbhritya/Balroga and Department of Kriya Sharira. This study was conducted in Kaumarbhritya OPD, SS Hospital, Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Observation and Result: In the present study, rate of morbidity in infantile age was found maximum in Vata Prakriti (6.6 episodes/infant/year) and minimum in Kapha Prakriti (1.54 episodes/infant/year). Incidence of morbidity was 2.41 episodes/infant/year. The commonest morbidities were respiratory tract infections (40.66%) and diarrhea (30.29%). Respiratory tract infection is most common morbidity in Vata Prakriti (33.3%), Kapha Prakriti (73.5%), Vata-Pitta Prakriti (48.1%) and Vata Kapha Prakriti (53.3%) infants. Diarrhea was the most common morbidity in Pitta Prakriti (32.2%) and Pitta-Kapha Prakriti (50.0%) infants. Discussion and Conclusion: Rate of morbidity was found more in Vata Prakriti and less in Kapha Prakriti infants which justifies the concept of Ayurveda that feature of Vata Prakriti is Shighravikara and Kapha Prakriti have Ashighravikara. Vata and Kapha Prakriti infants mostly suffer from respiratory tract infection and Pitta Prakriti infants mostly suffer from diarrhea. In present study incidence of morbidity was 2.41 episodes/infant/year and most common morbidity was respiratory tract infection and diarrhea.