UTILITY OF RECTAL SUPPOSITORY IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE: A MODERN PERSPECTIVE WITH AYURVEDIC INSIGHT INTO GUDA VARTI

Children belong to vulnerable group of individuals. Since they attain maturity of tissues & organs at a later stage and have reduced immunity, anabolic activities of children vary compared to an adult. Due to these, prevalence of various systemic illnesses significantly in children is on a raise. In pediatric practice, drug delivery presents unique challenges due to anatomical, physiological and behavioral differences in children. Several routes of drug administration is being practiced globally, like oral, rectal, intravenous, intradermal, urethral routes. Among these rectal route is one of the underutilized and feasible mode in the realm of drug delivery. This route of administration incorporates absorption of a drug through blood vessels which exhibit desired therapeutic action by entering into systemic circulation. Rectal route serve as a valuable therapeutic modality in pediatric medicine, particularly in scenarios where oral administration is impractical. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, has long explained the rectal route through the concept of Guda varti. This article explores the clinical utility of rectal suppositories in pediatric care and reflects on the Ayurvedic precedent, offering a unique integrative perspective.