An Ayurvedic perspective on Phakka Roga - Correlating traditional knowledge with Rickets in children

Kashyap Samhita is one of the important ancient Samhita of Kaumarbhritya. Kumara Bharana and Poshana, i.e., growth, development and nutrition of the child are the main objectives of Kaumarabhritya.[1] During Kumaravastha physical and mental development takes place. It consists of various nutritional disorders and Phakka Roga is one of the most important diseases happens in childhood period due to malnutrition as well as malabsorption and has been described only in Kashyap Samhita elaborately. Phakka is described as nutritional disorder where a child is unable to stand up or walk on his/ her feet even after 1 year of age.[2] In Ayurveda the symptoms of Phakka Vyadhi are similar to that of Rickets. Rickets is the disease of children caused by Vit D deficiency characterized by imperfect calcification, softening and distortion of bones typically results in bow legs.