Evidence-Based Ayurvedic Pediatrics

Abstract

Paediatric integrative medicine has grown as a recognised subspecialty in European healthcare over the past two decades, with families increasingly seeking integrative options for common paediatric conditions including recurrent respiratory infections, atopic dermatitis, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and allergic conditions. Ayurvedic paediatrics (Kaumarabhritya) has a substantial classical framework spanning neonatal care, infant development, childhood disease management, and adolescent health. The safety considerations in paediatric populations are distinctive and require specific attention: developmental pharmacology differs from adult pharmacology in consequential ways, dose-adjustment methodology must account for body-weight and developmental factors, specific contraindications apply to paediatric populations that do not apply to adults, and safety monitoring must account for developing organ systems. This study reviews 52 primary clinical studies published between 2012 and 2022 on evidence-based Ayurvedic paediatric interventions, grouped under five frames: KP1 (recurrent respiratory infection management), KP2 (atopic dermatitis and allergic condition management), KP3 (functional gastrointestinal disorder management), KP4 (general immune support and Swarnaprashana), and KP5 (integrated Ayurvedic plus conventional paediatric care). Each frame was scored with the Ayurvedic Paediatric Evidence Index (APEI). Recurrent respiratory infection management (KP1) scored highest at APEI 0.810, with integrated Ayurvedic plus conventional care (KP5) at 0.792 and atopic dermatitis management (KP2) at 0.778.