Evaluation Of Rajanyadi Churna In Management Of Pandu w r t Iron Deficiency Anemia In Adolescents – A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most frequent hematological and nutritional disorder of childhood and adolescence which is the commonest form of anemia.1 Approximately 25% of people worldwide have anemia. Iron deficiency, the most common cause, is responsible for 50% of all anemia.2 Data from the NFHS5 shows that 57% Indian adolescent girls and 31% boys are anemic. The prevalence of anemia has remained unchanged over the last 3 decades.3 Iron deficiency anemia can cause diminished growth and learning and have serious consequences such as Congestive cardiac failure, splenomegaly in children which indirectly affecting the quality of life in children.4

The widely used medications for treating IDA are oral iron preparations (ferrous fumarate etc.) which have adverse effects such as nausea, epigastric distress, decreased appetite, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea.5 The adverse effect of Intravenous iron therapy such as Extravasation of iron solutions into the subcutaneous tissue which causes brownish stains that can be permanent and aesthetically unpleasant for the patient.6

Therefore there is a need to overcome the consequences of iron therapies and to help in improving the growth and cognitive deficits caused by IDA. In Ayurveda there are various formulations known for their efficacy in treating Pandu roga with their karmas like Deepana, Pachana, Srotoshodhana, Rasa Dhatu prasadaka. One such preparation is Rajanyadi churna, which is mentioned in Pandu roga. Therefore, this study is taken to address the management of Pandu roga in children with Rajanyadi churna .