THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CARICA PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT IN CHILDREN WITH DENGUE FEVER
Dr. Deepa Shetty*, Dr. Anita Manoj, Dr. Dipti Jain, Dr. Mangala Narayane and Dr. Amit Rudrakar
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is almost always seen in dengue fever. Carica papaya leaves have been used before considering their beneficial effect on platelets. There are very few studies available testing their effects in children with dengue. Aim: To study the effectiveness of carica papaya leaf extract in children with dengue. Materials and Methods: A single centre, comparative study was conducted. Children aged 1 to 16 years with dengue and platelets ≤1.5x105perμL and ≥50x 103perμL were included. Thirty children were assigned to either test or control group. Carica papaya leaf extract formulated in appropriate dosage form of tablet in the strength of 1100mg for children above 12 years, syrup as (275mg/5ml) 10ml for children between 6 to 12years and 5 ml for children below 6 yrs was given thrice daily for 5 days to test group in addition to the routine symptomatic treatment given to the control group. The platelets were monitored and compared across the two groups. Results: Thirty patients were included and in those 21 were male. Mean baseline platelet of test and control group were comparable 1,43,270 per μL and 1,48,200 per μL respectively(p=0.76). There was no significant difference in mean platelet count at the end of treatment on day5, 1,62,933perμL v/s 1,97,333perμL in test v/s control group (p=0.15). Conclusion: Carica papaya leaf extract, showed an increasing trend in the platelets in dengue comparable to the control group and it coincided with the natural increase in platelets in the recovery phase. Carica papaya leaf extract has no side effect in children with dengue.
Keywords: Carica papaya, dengue, thrombocytopenia.
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