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The congenital disorders refer to the medical conditions that are present at birth. These can be the result of genetic abnormalities, the unfavorable intrauterine environment or may be due to some unknown factors. A congenital disorder may be recognized prenatally (before birth), at birth, or sometimes many years later.
The congenital disorders refer to the medical conditions that are present at birth. These can be the result of genetic abnormalities, the unfavorable intrauterine environment or may be due to some unknown factors. A congenital disorder may be recognized prenatally (before birth), at birth, or sometimes many years later.
Ayurveda emphasizes the proper preparation of the parents as the essential prerequisite for a healthy progeny and prevention of congenital disorders.
Ayurveda emphasizes the proper preparation of the parents as the essential prerequisite for a healthy progeny and prevention of congenital disorders.
==Causes of congenital disorders==
==Causes of congenital disorders==
The causative factors for congenital disorders can be analyzed in physical, mental and spiritual dimensions.
The causative factors for congenital disorders can be analyzed in physical, mental and spiritual dimensions.
All these causes can be attributed as a defect in any of the six factors (shad bhava) which are the sources of origin of embryo (garbha).
All these causes can be attributed as a defect in any of the six factors (shad bhava) which are the sources of origin of embryo (garbha).
The six factors are,
The six factors are,
1. Maternal (matruja)
1. Maternal (matruja)
2. Paternal (pitruja)
2. Paternal (pitruja)
3. Soul (atmaja)
3. Soul (atmaja)
4. Mind (satvaja)
4. Mind (satvaja)
5. Wholesomeness (satmyaja)
5. Wholesomeness (satmyaja)
6. Nutritional component (rasaja)
6. Nutritional component (rasaja)
The minor defects will lead to the congenital abnormalities of the fetus and the major defects lead to abortion or the death of the fetus. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/28-29]
The minor defects will lead to the congenital abnormalities of the fetus and the major defects lead to abortion or the death of the fetus. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/28-29]
These causes can be broadly classified in relation to
These causes can be broadly classified in relation to
1) Preconception period
1) Preconception period
2) Antenatal period
2) Antenatal period
3) Intra-partum period
3) Intra-partum period
== During Preconception Period==
== During Preconception Period==
The selection of a partner with desirable qualities is the prime step in the prevention of congenital disorders.
The selection of a partner with desirable qualities is the prime step in the prevention of congenital disorders.
The following are the guidelines for selection of an ideal partner as per Ayurveda.
The following are the guidelines for selection of an ideal partner as per Ayurveda.
*The partner should be belonging to a different clan(gotra).[ Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 2/3]
*Consanguinity should be avoided.
*Should not have any hereditary disorders or familial traits.
*Should not be suffering from any contagious diseases.
*Should possess attractive physical characters.
*Should not be handicapped.
*Should be healthy and follow good health habits.
*Should keep morality and good conduct. [A. S. Shrira Sthana 1/3]
===Physical Factors ===
===Physical Factors ===
*Abnormalities of sperm and ovum (beeja) [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 2/29]
*Defective reproductive physiology (shukra dhatu)of parents.[Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 28/18]
Role of reproductive physiology (shukra dhatu) of parents
The abnormality (vikruti)or physical deformity (virupata) in the fetus is mentioned among the diseases of vitiated reproductive tissue ([[shukra dhatu]])especially when the vitiated [[vata]] getting lodged in it.[Cha Sa Sutra Sthana 28/28], [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/34]
*Defective reproductive anatomy of parents (ashaya dosha)[Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 2/29]
Abnormalities in gamates (beeja dosha)
*Vitiation of Tridosha[A. H. Sharira Sthana 1/6]
'''Role of reproductive physiology (shukra dhatu) of parents'''
The abnormality (vikruti)or physical deformity (virupata) in the fetus is mentioned among the diseases of vitiated reproductive tissue ([[shukra dhatu]])especially when the vitiated [[vata]] getting lodged in it.[Cha Sa [[Sutra Sthana]] 28/28], [Cha. Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/34]
'''Abnormalities in gamates (beeja dosha)'''
The genetic factors like defects in chromosomes or genes are explained in Ayurvedic classics in the concept of chromosomes/gene (beejabhaga) and genetic material-DNA (beejabhaga avayava). It is explained on the basis of maternal (matruja) and paternal (pitruja) factors.
The genetic factors like defects in chromosomes or genes are explained in Ayurvedic classics in the concept of chromosomes/gene (beejabhaga) and genetic material-DNA (beejabhaga avayava). It is explained on the basis of maternal (matruja) and paternal (pitruja) factors.
If the genes in the chromosomes (beejabhaga) which are responsible for the formation of a particular organ get vitiated or mutated (vikruta), this will result in the improper formation of the respective organ.[Ch Sa Sharira Sthana 3/17]
When a woman gets conceived in a state that her ovum (shonita) and uterus (garbhashaya) were not completely vitiated but simply afflicted by the circulating aggravated [[doshas ]]because of her improper regimens, one or many of the organs of the fetus which derive from the maternal source get deformed. This is the explanation given for the congenital deformities in organs of maternal origin. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/30]
If the genes in the chromosomes (beejabhaga) which are responsible for the formation of a particular organ get vitiated or mutated (vikruta), this will result in the improper formation of the respective organ.[Ch Sa [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/17]
The yoni vyapad namely “shandi” is an example for the abnormalities in gametes (beeja dushti) leading to the deformity of anatomical structures (ashaya) in fetus due to affliction of [[vata]]leading to the female progeny with underdeveloped primary and secondary sexual characters [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/34-35] which is generally correlated by many scholars with the chromosomal disorder known as “turner syndrome”.
Similarly the defect in the sperm (shukra) in various levels causes deformities related to paternal origin. [Ch Sa Sharira Sthana 4/30-31]
When a woman gets conceived in a state that her ovum (shonita) and uterus (garbhashaya) were not completely vitiated but simply afflicted by the circulating aggravated [[doshas ]]because of her improper regimens, one or many of the organs of the fetus which derive from the maternal source get deformed. This is the explanation given for the congenital deformities in organs of maternal origin. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana] 4/30]
The yoni vyapad namely “shandi” is an example for the abnormalities in gametes (beeja dushti) leading to the deformity of anatomical structures (ashaya) in fetus due to affliction of [[vata]]leading to the female progeny with underdeveloped primary and secondary sexual characters [Cha. Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]]30/34-35] which is generally correlated by many scholars with the chromosomal disorder known as “turner syndrome”.
Similarly the defect in the sperm (shukra) in various levels causes deformities related to paternal origin. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 4/30-31]
Female Vitiated factor Outcome Possible modern co-relation
Female Vitiated factor Outcome Possible modern co-relation
Genes in maternal chromosomes(beejabhaga of shonita), responsible for the formation of uterus (garbhashaya) female not capable of reproduction
Genes in maternal chromosomes(beejabhaga of shonita), responsible for the formation of uterus (garbhashaya) female not capable of reproduction