The Rationality of Dhupana Karma (Fumigation) as a Protective Measure for Neonatal Care in Kumaragara (Infant's Abode and NICU)

After birth, a baby gets exposed to the external environment, having billions of microorganisms, but all the microbes are not harmful as most of them are commensal. However, some of them became hazardous, particularly in immunocompromised infants. So, environmental sterilization is of utmost priority for inhibiting the growth of microbes in the Kumaragara (Infant's Abode and NICU). In Ayurveda, Raksha karma (protective measures) is indicated for wound healing (Vrana Upakrama), as well as neonatal care (Navajaata Sishu Paricharya). Newborn care through the Dhoopan Karma is considered a disinfectant to prevent and cure infectious diseases. With a dynamic variation in microbial flora and emerging resistance, fumigation of Kumaragara with Ayurvedic drugs as a sterilization procedure is needed, compared to formaldehyde fumigation commonly used in hospital setups because of serious adverse effects on the human body. However, some research has shown antimicrobial properties of bioactive substances of Dhoopan drugs as well as their formulations, but due to lack of scientific validation and standardization of Dhoopan drugs, drug dosages and dispensing form of fumigating drugs, and Dhoopan karma vidhi (methodology) as a sterilization measure is yet not established. The present paper details the pros and cons of Dhoopan karma.