PAEDIATRICS AND HOMEOPATHY

Paediatric history taking is one of the most difficult task for a homeopathic physician. The main aspect of paediatric case taking is dependent on observations. Here a lot of direct questioning is required. There can not be any standard pattern of history taking as the questioning will change depending on the age group we are dealing with.

The birth weight of a child will double in the first year. The rate of growth is so fast that the questioning and interpretations will change at every passing month.

However if one understands the “NORMAL CHILD” and is fully aware of the development of new born to infant to toddler, the case taking becomes one of the simplest tool.

Development:

To understand what normal child is? We have to understand the development of a child. It is divided into 4 stages.

0 – 28 days……….    Neonates

up to one year ….      Infant

1 – 3 years    ….        Toddler

3 – 5 years   …..        Pre school child

After 5 years……… School going

The observations and interpretations are different in these age groups. The case taking should also differ in these age groups.

Temperament:-

Temperament is defined as the individual’s normal, natural style of behaviour and response to the world. It refers to “How” and not “What” of behaviour. This means temperament does not dictate what children will do, but help understand how they do it.

Temperament consists of the traits you are born with. It differs from personality which is a combination of temperament (nature) and the life experiences of people and environment (nurture).

As a homeopath we are supposed to understand the temperament of a child. Temperament is determined by your unique neurological characteristics and unlike personality it cannot be changed. It remains moderately stable across time and situations.

Homeopathic approach to a paediatrics case:-

To arrive at a remedy we have to consider 3 main factors:-

Sociability refers to approach (Extrovert) or withdrawal (Introvert) stimulus of the child to a new situation o stimulus. Some children move easily into new settings, taking very little time to join a new group of playmates, while others may observe the scene for a long time before going into a new situation. This can also be applied to other situations such as trying a new food or changing a daily routine, for example: Some children eagerly seek new experiences while others withdraw from new activities and experiences.

Points to understand whether child is Approaching or Withdrawing:

Approach (Extroverted) :-

     Infant and Toddlers:  - Likes to play with new toys- they are curious to explore it.

Withdrawal(Introverted):-

     Infant and Toddlers:  -      Slower to warm up to a change.

APPROACH (EXTROVERT)
(Thermal-chilly/hot patients-remedies)

                                              WITHDRAWAL (INROVERT)

Activity- refers to the degree of energy expenditure through movement. It is viewed as some of the important dimensions in determining temperament- it can be hyper or hypo-activity. Boys tend to have a higher motor activity than girls.

Activity can be assessed by following 6 points:-

1. Level of Activity:      Ratio of Childs active period in contrast to his inactive or passive period.
2. Threshold of responsiveness (sensitivity) :-

3. Intensity of reaction:   -     Is the child vocal of positive and negative reaction to stimulus of
                                                calm and quite?
4.Biological Rhythms:
Regular:    Mothers predict

 Irregular: 
                                                  Those who are unpredictable.

5. Distractibility:-          Is the child easily distracted from what he is doing, or shut out external
                                       distractions  and stay with their current activity.

6. Attention span and persistence:  Does the child give up as soon as they a problem with task  or
                                                        keep on trying?

What is Activity Level?

  We have to access whether the child’s activity is more or low

Points to access Normal Activity or Low Activity:-

Infant:

Toddler                               -     Sits peacefully and listens to story

Points to access Hyperactivity:-

Infant:

Toddler:                             -      Run all day here and there

                                               Hyperactive Remedies

Destructibility -It can be a reaction to anger. Smashing ripping, or tearing apart of objects are the expressions of destructiveness. These destructive behaviours are often directed to a nearby convenient target, often the sources of anger. Non Destructiveness: Anger can also be manifested without motivating destructive behaviour such as in temper tantrum marked by throwing self to the3 ground, screaming writhing.

                                            Destructibility Remedies

Sociability-Activity-Destructivity axis:-

Tarentula, Tuberculinum, Cham, Veratrum, Medo.
      

HOW TO OBSERVE THE CHILD:-

1.What is to be observed when the child is with the parents:-

Soft toys – Cicuta
Guns Dagger – Sanicula, Acid fluor, Merc.
Cars---Tuber, Tarentula etc.

2. Make the Child free ( both parents & doctor near).

     Picks, throws, sees touches and throws the things (destructive)—Tuber, tarentula inciting others –Hyoscyamus.

3.Place the child on table—both parents & doctors at little distance

    (a) Extrovert—Sulphur, Tarentula, Hyos, Mercury.
    (b) Shy. Starts crying---Barytas. Calcareas, Sil

4. Doctor approaches &  parents away:
   

  
By considering the  above factors of the child, we add thermals, thirst, characteristic, Constitution, Mentals before we arrive  at the similimum . The Axis will lead to a group of remedies from which we have to eliminate remedies by repertorization and arrive at the similimum.

Let me explain you this by giving one case: On 12/3/02, a 3 years child who was suffering from severe anaemia & Nephrotic syndrome for the last 2 years, was brought to me. At that time she was on steroids and other allopathic medication. The parents had already tried some so called homeopathic medicines like Apis. Canth, Nux Vom, etc. Her symptoms were as under:-

Generals: Stool- normal, Thirst + _, Thermals- hot. Desires cold water, Sleep disturbed; Urine- Less, appetite Nil. 

Past History: Had nappy  rashes during infantile period treated with some ointments. Cough cold bronchitis recurrent attacks.

Family History: mother – Goitre . Father- Normal. Maternal Grandmother –Died of Cancer;

Nature of the patient: Very irritable, restless, hyperactive child will sit for a while at new place then start to and fro walking, touching all the things/electric switches present at a place. Very possessive . Disobeys the parents but afraid of her teacher. Do not do wish to new comer. Always tosses in bed during sleep.

She was gazing from the corner of her eyes. Considering her mental make up – Approaching +Hyperactive+ Non Destructive and the characteristic symptom- gazing from the corner of her eyes, she was given one dose of Lachesis 200  at that time to be followed with placebo and get her urine checked from her family doctor after 2 weeks. On that very day she passed urine profusely and frequently. No let up in pyrexia, bronchitis etc. She asked for food, fruits, cold drinks etc. As reported by the attending physician. After 3 days she started improving in fever bronchitis also. Puffiness on the face started receding.

She has been  reported normal by her parents during the follow- ups.