Ayurvedic Approach to Childhood Karshya (Undernutrition): A Narrative Review From a Kaumarbhritya Perspective

Childhood undernutrition remains an important public-health concern because inadequate nutrition can impair physical growth, cognitive development, immune function, and long-term well-being. Ayurveda describes the clinical state of excessive leanness as Karshya and relates its development to inadequate nourishment, impaired Agni, Vata predominance, and progressive Dhatu Kshaya. This narrative review organizes classical Ayurvedic concepts relevant to childhood Karshya from a Kaumarbhritya perspective and integrates them with contemporary principles of pediatric nutritional assessment. The review discusses Nidana, Samprapti, Samprapti Ghataka, Ayurvedic clinical assessment, and therapeutic principles including Nidana Parivarjana, Agni Deepana-Pachana, Brimhana, Santarpana, Ahara, Aushadha, Vihara, and selected Rasayana approaches. A practical Pathya-Apathya framework is also presented. The manuscript emphasizes that Karshya should be regarded as an Ayurvedic clinical construct and should not be considered identical to every modern category of childhood undernutrition. Anthropometric monitoring and evaluation for medical causes of poor growth remain essential. Ayurvedic interventions should be individualized according to age, Agni, Bala, Satmya, nutritional status, and associated disease, with appropriate pediatric supervision. The review highlights the need for well-designed clinical studies using standardized nutritional and safety outcomes to establish the effectiveness and role of Ayurvedic interventions alongside established care.