Abstract-
Homoeopathy prefers a better adulthood by focusing on healthy childhood at multiple levels. Homoeopathic remedies are employed at the time of conception; they have tremendous capacity to manage various chronic diseases that may occur in future. In this article; the authors focus on scope of Homoeopathy in various pediatric cases ranging from Dyskinetic Cerebral palsy; chronic dacrocystitis; chronic Adenoid hypertrophy, voiding dysfunction. In these cases; the remedies were prescribed as similimum and they have helped not only at disease level but at nutrition and mental level as well. Remedies prescribed are- Causticum, Pulsatilla, Staphysagria. Scientifically prescribed Homoeopathic similimum has helped to improve quality of life in children. Furthermore, the development of immunity is a sign that adaptation is taking place whenever a child is exposed to an infectious disease but doesn’t suffer from its consequences.
Key Words– Pediatrics, Homoeopathy, Susceptibility, Quality of Life
Introduction:
Homeopathy offers a unique approach to medicine. Serving as a system of scientific, constitutional drug-therapeutics with wide potentialities giving full scope to the prescribers’ artistic abilities. Homeopathy focuses on strengthening the body’s immunity from an early age to ensure a healthier adulthood.
Dr. Burnett quotes “If we set about really curing the delicate and the diseased while quite young, and then let them finish their growth, stay at the sea-side we shall in the end get sound adults fit for the Work of the world, and for all the duties of the State and of the family” (1) This emphasizes the importance of early and through care for vulnerable and ailing children to ensure healthy development into robust adults.
Homeopathic treatment, if carefully planned and applied right from the time of conception and through the early years, claims to free the child of pernicious hereditary influences that tend to sap energy and prepare for the development of various types of constitutional disorders in later life. Homeopathy integrates personalized therapeutic strategies with holistic understanding of health, positioning it as a promising avenue for treatments. (2)
By stimulating natural defense mechanisms, homeopathy supports energy conservation and effective recovery from infections. This system, described as both scientific and artistic, integrates personalized therapeutic strategies with a holistic understanding of health, positioning it as a promising avenue for preventive and curative medicine. Such an approach warrants further exploration to evaluate its efficacy and broader applications. It stimulates the body’s natural defense mechanism and conserves body energy.
As Homeopaths the onus lies on us to utilize science for the betterment of children who are nothing but the future of the nation.
Let us explore the role of Homoeopathy through some case examples.
Caselet | Diagnosis | Follow Up | Description |
2/M, H/O Seizures since birth reported in November 2022. Seizures < Sleep during < Night, every 8-9 hrs lasting for a minute; regain consciousness later. Arching of body during convulsions, jerky movements of upper limbs, cries with convulsion, redness of face, open and shutting the eyes. Recurrent URTIs Mind: Irritable, doesn’t like new people picking him and if so, he starts crying and become irritable. > carrying, and speaking to him. Mother’s History during pregnancy: H/O grief of death of child during pregnancy with anxiety about current pregnancy Delayed Milestones- Can’t sit or walk Constipation: Stool passed every 3-5 days Open posterior Fontanelle On Anti-Epileptics | Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy | CAUSTICUM 0/2 Episodes of seizures stopped in the 1st month. Head held in May 2023. Recurrent resp. infection reduced within 3 months No constipation since April 2023. Irritability reduced. Neurologists tapered Anti-Epileptics within 6 months. | Milestones: Head Holding achieved; child turning in bed Improved susceptibility: Reduction in recurrent infections. Mentals: Reduced irritability Stools: Though the child is immobile, we see an improvement in constipation. |
5/M, H/O Adenoid hypertrophy since 2.5 years reported in March 2024. C/O Nose block < during sleep < night< during sleep< cheese < sour fruits < dust and boring nose since 2-3 months. He keeps mouth open while sleep and startling in sleep and wakes up to catch breath. Offensive breath++ Child is lean, thin and tall for age. Thermally Chilly. Sleep: on abdomen and salivation from mouth. Talks in sleep. Mind: Child is submissive and timid. He mixes with everyone. Precocity takes care of parents. Advised Adenectomy. | Adenoid Hypertrophy with sleep apnea | PHOSPHORUS 200 was given. Within 3.5 months there was no nose block, no boring of nose and also stop startling in sleep but he keep mouth open while sleeping. Reduction in intensity and frequency of episodes of Acutes. | Reduction in symptoms of obstruction due to Adenoids- Nose block and OSA. Better sleep quality. Improvement in susceptibility. |
11month/F, C/H/O discharges from tear duct reported in April 2024. Discharges was yellowish and sticky< at sleep, excess discharges causing redness of lower eyelid. Multiple Antibiotics eye drops tried. Advised massage to prevent stagnation of discharges and recurrent infections. Resort to Six intervention if problem persists. | Chronic Dacrocystitis | PULSATILLA 30 was given. Within 2 months reduced complaints of eye discharges and agglutination. No redness of eye. | Reduction in recurrent infections and lacrimation. Improvement in susceptibility. |
12/M, Chronic H/O mucus in stools, reddish with hard stools initially reported in March 2024. Next episode loose stools with red stained mucus after 4 months. Recurrent abdominal pain > by lying on abdomen. Child suffered from constipation OR dysentery. Associated with weight loss up to 10kg in last 4-5 months Mind: Child had fear of darkness, also fear of being punished by teachers if he makes a mistakes. The fear was so intense that he used to start having abdominal pain at the thought of going to school. Referred to Paediatric Gastroenterologist-suspected IBD. On further evaluation ruled out. | Diagnosis under evaluation | NUX VOMICA 200 was given for Acute episodes of constipation. After 4 months’ second episode of loose stools, reddish mucus Aloe 30 was prescribed Constitutional medicine STAPHYSAGRIA 200 at the end of the episode after which there was no relapse. | In this case acute episode of bleeding stool was temporarily relieved by the first prescription. When pt. come with the second episode the constitutional medicine was given at the end. No relapse of complaints. |
11/F, H/O burning and involuntary micturition since 1 year due to voiding dysfunction; difficulty in controlling urine, urgency; Frequency-10-12/3-4 D/N <Laughing < while playing < walking. Complaint started after death of her mother. Avoids going to play with other children due to complaints. Associated with generalized weakness with no wt. gain since 1yr.Complaint of constipated bowel passes daily but unsatisfactory. Had to take enema once every 15 days. | Voiding Dysfunction with functional constipation | CAUSTICUM 200 was given. Within 23 days, amelioration of urinary complaints weight gain of 1.1kg passing of stool everyday. No enema required thereafter. | There is relief of urinary complaints and constipation. There is evidence of improvement in nutrition –child gained weight after a year. There is improvement in quality of life of the child as her complaints will no longer hinder her from playing! |
Discussion-
The utilization of homeopathy in pediatric care has shown results in improving the quality of life for patients, particularly in managing chronic recurrent illnesses. Homoeopathy can effectively treat both acute and chronic conditions in children by offering a gentle and holistic approach focusing on a child’s overall wellbeing.
Homoeopathy treatment works to improve the susceptibility of the children and enhance their immunity. It reduces dependency on conventional medications and enhances emotional well-being in pediatric patients. In this article we discover the scope of homoeopathy in pediatrics through various cases. This insight might create awareness for the scope of such treatment as patients and their families.
In first case, of cerebral palsy, which is a structural irreversible pathology and though the scope of homeopathy may seem limited we see an improvement is seen at multiple levels- Neurological, nutrition of nerves, general nutrition, stools, susceptibility and mind.
The anti-epileptic drugs which made the child drowsy have also been tapered by the neurologist himself. Thus we see that homeopathy has improved the child’s quality of life.
In the second case the patient is suffering from Adenoid Hypertrophy, homoeopathic treatment has alleviated the symptoms of the child. There is improvement in sleep and no startling during sleep is noted. Homeopathy has not only improved the patient’s immunity but has also averted the need for a surgical intervention.
In the next case the child presented with chronic dacryocystitis, with a history of eye discharge yellowish and sticky in nature leading to eye redness. On giving homeopathic treatment complaints which were present since birth and not improving with multiple medications were resolved within 2 months and there was no further need for any surgical intervention.
In the succeeding case, patients presented with complaints of blood in stool, abdominal pain and significant weight loss. The patient took allopathic treatment previously but improvement was short lasting. When a patient was started on homeopathic remedy, acute complaints were resolved by superficial acting remedy. In the subsequent follow-up constitutional remedy was given which helped in resolving chronic complaints.
In the last case, female child came with complaints of voiding dysfunction with increased frequency since one year. It was associated with chronic constipation and no weight gain. When started on homeopathic treatment, physical and mental health has improved. Complaints were resolved with 1.1 kg weight gain within 23 days and satisfactory passage of stools.
Homoeopathic therapeutics affords unlimited possibilities by favorably influencing mental processes, promotes better adaptation of the child to his environment; stimulates natural defense mechanisms and conserves energy. (3)A single simple remedy, if prescribed on the totality of symptoms, can take care of multiple complaints at the same time! This saves the child from the painstaking task of taking multiple medications.
Conclusion–
Homoeopathic remedies act on the susceptibility and which is evidenced by improvement in nutrition and mental state that is characterized by a healthy outlook on life. Furthermore, the development of immunity is a sign that adaptation is taking place whenever a child is exposed to an infectious disease but doesn’t suffer from its consequences. (4)
References–
1. | Burnett JC. Delicate, Backaward, Puny & Stunted Children. 1st ed. Noida: B Jain Publishers; 2007. |
2. | Dhawale DML. Principles and Practice of Homoeopathy. 7th ed. Noida: B Jain Publishers; 2016. |
3. | Dhawale DML. Principles & Practice of Homoeopathy. 7th ed. Noida: B Jain Publishers; 2016. |
4. | Dhawale DML. Principles & Practice of Homoeopathy. 7th ed. Noida: B Jain Publishers; 2016. |
About Authors-
– Dr. Dhanashree Kulkarni, MD Hom Pediatrics, PhD Scholar,
-Assistant Professor, Dept. Hom. Materia Medica, Late Mrs. Housabai Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Nimshirgaon MH
– Homoeopathic Pediatrician at Shree Homoeo Clinic, Fort Area, Miraj, MH
