Shaken Baby Syndrome Treatment in Ayurveda

Abstract

Shaken baby syndrome is a brain injury due to abuse. It is a serious condition in which a caregiver or parent shakes the infant out of frustration or anger usually due to baby crying. It is usually seen in babies less than two years of age. The average incidence of this disease takes place between 3 to 8 months old. The abuse is usually by the mother, the father, or the babysitter. Parents feel stress or anxiety because of the social, environmental, financial, or biological conditions that may be much susceptible to violent and impulsive behavior. So today we will briefly read about shaken baby syndrome in this article.

Introduction

Shaken baby syndrome is also called ATH (Abusive head trauma) in which a baby gets deadly head injury in the baby less than two years of age that occurs when an infant or child is violently shaken. That leads to bleeding, swelling and bruising in the brain. It is a type of abuse to the baby. When a child is hardly shaken by the arms, legs, or shoulders, it can cause vision problems, learning disabilities, speech and hearing issues, cerebral palsy, behavior disorder and irreversible disability. It can be deadly in some cases.

Causes and risk factors

Due to anger or frustration, the parents, caregiver, guardian shakes severely to an infant or toddler till the baby does not stop crying. There are some risk factors which triggers the infection which are as follows

• Stress
• Depression
• Mistreatment history as a baby
• Unstable family condition
• Alcohol abuse
• Single or young parenthood
• Babies unrealistic expectation
• Domestic violence

Symptoms

• Conscious level impaired
• Drowsiness
• Extreme irritability
• Breathing problem
• Lethargy
• Thrive failure
• Dilated pupil
• Head enlargement
• Seizures
• Coma
• Trouble sucking
• Poor eating
• Difficulty to stay awake
• Vomiting
• Bluish or pale skin
• Paralysis

Complication

Constantly shaking the baby can lead to permanent brain damage. Following are the complications of shaken baby syndrome

• Seizure disorder
• Delay development, learning issues or behavior problems
• Cerebral palsy
• Intellectual problem

Physical findings

• Contusions
• Retinal hemorrhages
• Concussions
• Swelling of soft tissue which may show fracture of skull
• Abdominal injuries
• Tense fontanel
• Abnormal low blood pressure
• Bruises occur to the scalp, back, abdomen, arms or face
• Hemorrhage by closed head injury (Subdural, subarachnoid, epidural, subgaleal)
• Lacerations

Diagnosis

• History
• CT scan of the abdomen and head
• Optic fundus examination
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
• Skeletal survey
• Drug screening
• Nuclear scan
• Lumbar puncture
• Routine blood sample

Ayurvedic overview

In Ayurveda, shaken baby syndrome symptoms are closely related with vitiated vata dosha. Ayurveda has given prime importance to siras (Brain or head), considering it as one of the three principal vital organs (Trimarmas) of the body where the prana (Vital) resides. Brain is produced by the essence of slesma (Kapha) and rakta (Blood). Touch, organs of perception, pulsation in the body, lightness and all movements are derived from qualities of vata. Prana vata is situated in the whole body. It commands the intellect, mind, brain, sense organs and is responsible for sneezing reflex, swallowing, salivation, production of speech, mental stamina, memory, respiratory movements etc and is responsible for all vital functions.

Vitiated vata symptoms are body tremors, involuntary movement spectrum, confusion, altered higher mental functions, decrease of strength and capacity of sense organs, delusion, delirium, insomnia etc.

Samprapti (Pathogenesis) of vata vyadhi

Because of nidana (Cause), the channels become rikta (Vacant) and vata gets vitiated. This can be compared with the degenerative changes in the nervous system leading to various disorders.

Treatment

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious condition. In Ayurveda, we can only give supportive treatment to delay the progression of disease. There are various herbs which balance the vata dosha and improve mental ability. These herbs particularly work in the brain function as well as the whole body. Some herbal remedies are given by Planet Ayurveda for this disease which are described as follows.

Herbal remedies for shaken baby syndrome by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a manufacturing unit of various herbal remedies for the various types of diseases. They follow all the basic principles of the Ayurveda which are given in the ancient textbook of Ayurvedic Samhita. Their all herbal products are GMP certified and 100% natural, pure and vegetarian. All ayurvedic medicines are formulated from various herbs which are effective in the human body. These medicines are safe to use with no side effects. There are no preservatives, additives, yeast and any other thing. Planet Ayurveda gives supportive management for the shaken baby syndrome to delay the progression and enhance the quality of life. The herbal remedies are described following

PRODUCTS List

1. Kumar kalyan ras
2. Neuro plan syrup
3. Arvindasav

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Kumar kalyan ras

It is a classical Ayurvedic product made from kumari rasa (Aloe vera’s juice extract, shuddha parada (Purified mercury), abhraka bhasma (Purified and processed mica), loha bhasma (Prepared from iron) etc. It alleviates all the three doshas. It is described as bhedaniya (Accumulation breaking herb), netra roga ghana (Alleviating ophthalmic diseases) and ameliorating the diseases of the spleen. It is a carminative, digestive, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory medicine. It acts as a purgative and kills intestinal worms. It has rejuvenative properties, it also benefits if it is given in cases of liver and spleen disorders. It has antibacterial and antifungal action. It contains wound healing properties. It is also indicated in neuromuscular weakness.

Dose:- 1 pill twice daily

2. Neuro plan syrup

It is a herbal syrup formed from brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Sonth (Zingiber officinalis), etc. It is a tonic, rejuvenating and sweet, bitter and astringent in taste and light, unctuous and slightly hot in effect. It pacifies all the three doshas- mainly kapha and vata. It has an immune-modulator, antioxidant and hormone precursor properties that regulate all the important physiological functions. It is indicated in ailments like nervous and psychiatric disorders, insomnia, emaciation. It enhances the strength and stamina in the body. It braces the mind to carry cognitive functions and intellectual pursuits. It is not only a memory booster and an intellect promoting medicine but also a mild sedative, muscle relaxant and an anticonvulsant. It is a digestive agent, carminative and an antipyretic.

Dose:- 2 tsp twice daily

3. Arvindasav

It is a classical Ayurvedic product made from amla (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), arjun (Terminalia arjuna), etc. It is sweet in taste and heavy, unctuous and cold in effect. It pacifies vitiated vata and pitta. It improves the complexion, relieves problems of the eyes and is an effective general tonic. It is an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and wonder healer medicine. It is an effective nervine tonic. It has a soothing effect on the brain. It acts as a digestive stimulant. It helps in excessive palpitation due to anxiety. It also acts as a booster for all physiological systems of the body.

Dose:- 2 tsp twice daily

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604

Conclusion

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious condition in which head injury happens due to abuse of a child or baby. In Ayurveda, we can correlate this syndrome closely with vitiated vata symptoms. In this disease we can give only supportive management. Proper counseling of parents should be done in this disease. In Ayurveda we can balance vata dosha by the above mentioned ayurvedic medications which contain various herbs that pacify vata dosha and enhance the quality of life and provide support and strength to the body.