DIVISION OF PEDIATRICS INTO DIFFERENT STAGES ACCORDING TO THE AGE OF CHILD

In Pediatric Ayurveda , ages from 1-16 years are considered as part of childhood. They are divided into 3 parts:-

• Chirab:- From birth to 1 year.
• Chiranath:- From 2 - 3 years.
• Annad :- from 4 to 16 years.

(Note: Kaashyap Sahita has divided the active life of man into 6 stages of which 3 stages are part of the pediatric age.

• Garbhavasta - From conception to birth.
• Balya avasta - From birth to 1 year.
• Komar avasta - From 1 year to 16 years.)

Chirab:- The stage during which the infant is dependent on mother's milk is called Chirab. This stage is from birth to approximately 1 year of age.

Chiranath:- The stage in which the child eats other food apart from the mother's milk is called Chiranath. This is usually 2 - 3 years of age.

Annad:-The stage in which the child is no longer dependent on mother's milk and can eat normal adult diet is called Annad. This stage is from 4 year to 16 years of age.

These stages do not have a clear cut demarcation line and they overlap with each other. But this classification has its own importance. Each stage denotes a special developmental aspect of the child's growth. This classification is useful to determine the cause of disease and also the right treatment in right quantity.



Last updated on 24-01-2001