CRITICAL REVIEW ON GARBHAJANYA VIKRITI (BIRTH DEFECTS) DESCRIBED IN AYURVEDA AND ITS MODERN ASPECT

Abstract

Ayurveda is the most ancient medical science and its fundamentals cover every aspect of human life. Acharya Sushruta has classified the diseases into seven types on the basis of its origin; among them first two are explained for birth defects. Genetic disorders (Adibala pravritta) and Congenital anomaly (Janmabala pravritta) are the two main categories of birth defects (Garbhajanya vikriti) encountered during the early infancy. The genetic disorders are either maternal or paternal and largely responsible for carrying genetic defects in progeny, whereas congenital birth defects are mainly due to faulty diet and lifestyle of mother and due to suppression of mental and physical desire of the pregnant lady. Ayurveda enlisted various desires of pregnant woman and their impact on the health and physical status of the progeny. Similarly, there are so many rituals and regimens are described for pregnant lady to prevent birth defects and to make woman ready for normal delivery. In brief, it can be said that if a preg-nant lady wishes for a healthy baby (Supraja), She should follow the Nine-month regimen (GarbhiniParicharya) mentioned for them in Ayurveda, so the chances of congenital anomaly will be minimal. Keywords: Congenital anomaly, Birth defect, Garbhajanya vikriti, Supraja, Garbhini paricharya