Common Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants from the Perspective of Persian Medicine

Document Type : original article

Authors

1 Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in infants have a rich historical background within medical systems. A key aim of this research is to explore the historical development of these conditions within the framework of Persian Medicine (PM).
Materials and Methods: This study draws upon established diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for prevalent gastrointestinal disorders in infants, referencing authoritative PM texts, including Al-Hawi by Razi (854-925 AD), Kamel al-Sanaa al-Tebiya by Ahwazi (10th century AD), Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine (980-1037 AD), Kholasa al-Tajarob by Baha al-Dawleh Razi (died 1508 AD), and the Kholasa al-Hekma by Aghili Shirazi (18th century), alongside relevant findings from contemporary medical databases.
Results: A number of PM practitioners have associated teething and weaning with diarrhea, while they have interpreted constipation accompanied by pale stools as indicative of obstruction of biliary ducts and impaired bile flow into the intestines. Symptoms such as nocturnal teeth grinding and drooling during sleep have been regarded as potential indicators of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in infants, with various treatment options proposed for each condition.
Conclusion: Iranian scholars have endeavored to accurately diagnose gastrointestinal disorders by focusing on clinical evidence. Acknowledging the delicate nature of infant physiology, they have employed simple, accessible, and safe treatment methods, such as dietary modifications. A more in-depth investigation of PM regarding gastrointestinal disorders in newborns is suggested.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Pediatric Perspectives
Volume 13, Issue 6
June 2025
Pages 19516-19523

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