Clinical Studies on Bonnisan in the newborns and Infants

(Probe (1979): (XVIII), 2, 107-109)
Clinical Studies on Bonnisan in the newborns and Infants
Sufi, G.M., M.D., D.C.H., Ramesh Badshah, M.B.B.S., Nazir Ahmed, M.B.,B.S., and
Rafiq Ahmed, M.B.,B.S.
Government Hospital for Women and Medical College, Srinagar, India.
The newborn has to adapt itself from a totally dependent life to an independent existence of its own.
Until birth, it was solely dependent on the mother for its respiratory, assimilative and other
functions. Whereas respiration is established at birth, all other systems are called upon to attain
optimal functioning soon for the growth and development of the newborn. The newborn thus
presents a physiological and clinical problem of metabolic adaptation. Careful studies reveal that
the newborn undergoes a variety of metabolic and hormonal adaptations after birth.
The newborn relies solely on the co-ordinated functioning of all its systems for its metabolic
processes, growth, development and existence. The proper functioning of the digestive system is
very important at this stage, as it helps effectively the processes of anabolism, growth and
development, so essential at this age. The first six months of life are the most important for the
newborn. Utilisation and assimilation of food are important and they depend on the digestive
assimilative processes. Most of the common discomforts in the newborn are caused by indigestion,
flatulence and gripes.
Flatulence in the newborn is caused by aerophagy, trapped wind and indigestion or poor digestion,
apart from low general health, prematurity or immaturity and disturbed hepatic function. It is very
necessary that a newborn thoroughly digests and assimilates all the nutrients it receives. Varied
digestive disturbances often make the mother underfeed the baby or change the brand of milk.
Flatulence alone can be temporarily relieved by the use of carminatives but that would not help the
processes of digestion and assimilation. An ideal drug, in addition to being a carminative, should be
a stomachic, digestive, antispasmodic, hepatic stimulant and metabolic corrective. It should
stimulate the processes of digestion, absorption and assimilation.
Bonnisan (The Himalaya Drug Co.) has been very favourably reported to be useful in improving
appetite and digestive functions and it acts as an anabolic agent. The essential nutrients after
digestion and absorption are converted into metabolites in the liver and utilised for the normal
physiological processes. It probably helps them at different stages. Bonnisan contains some of the
ingredients of Liv.52 which have been well documented and accepted in the relief of anorexia and
digestive and anabolic processes. Athavale, Sharma, Indira Bai et al, Damle and Deshpande,
Saxena, Seshachari, Prasad et al and Dayal et al, have observed very salutary effects on appetite
and growth in cases of malnutrition. Experimental work in animals has shown significant nitrogen
retention and weight gain without other side effects.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
One hundred newborn babies at the Government Hospital for Women, Srinagar (M.C.) were
selected for study with Bonnisan, and its effects on the general health, appetite, digestion,
flatulence, constipation and gain in weight. Babies suffering from acute illnesses were not included
in the study. They belonged to all the sections of the society. All babies up to the age of two months
were given Bonnisan ½ teaspoonful three times a day and those aged 3 to 4 months, one
teaspoonful three times a day. All were followed up regularly at frequent well-defined intervals –
every week up to 1st month and then every month till 4 months. Their initial condition and progress
in respect of appetite, digestion, flatulence, bowel action, weight, general feeling of well-being and
other effects were noted on a previously planned pro forma. Age, sex, birth weight, state of general
health and the type of feeds (breast or artificial) and intervals and quantity of the feeds were also
noted. Most of the children maintained good general health apart from mild icterus neonatorum or
conjunctivitis in a few.
Table I: weight at birth
Birth wt. in grams No. of cases
1500 to 1800 2
2000 to 2500 29
2501 to 3000 33
3001 to 3500 32
3501 to 4000 2
4001 to 5000 2
The appetite continued to remain good and babies took their feeds easily. Most of the babies were
breast-fed and the amount of milk was sufficient. Eighteen babies needed either supplementary
feeds or artificial feeding. There was almost an equal number of males and female babies, 53 males
and 47 females. The birth weight of majority of the babies (94) ranged between 2 to 3.5 kg (Table
1). Initially appetite, digestion were good in most of the babies. Some had flatulence, bloating of the
abdomen, mild gastrointestinal disturbance or constipation and colic. Some had palpable or slightly
enlarged liver which is normal at this age. A few had mild physiological jaundice or conjunctivitis
which did not need any special treatment.
Seventeen babies had constipation and flatulence which were relieved by Bonnisan. Appetite as
judged by vigorous sucking and general satisfaction after the feeds was good in 81%, fair in 19%
cases. Ninety seven babies showed a sense of well-being and in the remaining 3 it was fair. There
were no colics or abdominal uneasiness. Weight gain was observed in almost all the cases. Out of
100 babies 37 showed weight gain from 1.4 to 2 kgs in a period of 4 months. Other 37 showed
weight gain form 2.1 to 2.5 kg, 15 from 2.6 to 3 kg and the rest of the 11 babies 3.1 to 3.5 kg and
the rest of the 11 babies 3.1 to 3.5 kgs. The lowest weight gain was 1.4 kg and the highest 3.5 kg in
a period of four months.
Table 2: Weight gain on Bonnisan in 4 months
Gain in wt. in kg No. of cases %
1.4 to 2 kg 37 37
2.1 to 2.5 kg 37 37
2.6 to 3 kg 15 15
3.1 to 3.5 kg 11 11
The progress in general, the feeling of well-being, appetite, digestion, flatulence, bowel habits and
gain in weight were very satisfactory. There were no untoward side effects or reactions. Most of the
mothers welcomed giving Bonnisan regularly to their babies.
The overall results were good in 81 cases and fair in 19 cases.
SUMMARY
1. One hundred newborns were given Bonnisan for a period of 4 months, ½ to 1 teaspoonful t.i.d.
2. Their progress was observed every week in the first month and thereafter at monthly intervals
for 4 months.
3. Response to digestive functions, appetite, flatulence, bowel activity, general feeling of wellbeing
and gain in weight were recorded at every visit.
4. Result of the study showed a remarkable improvement in flatulence, digestive function, gain in
weight and normal growth and development. Results were good in 81%, fair in 19% and poor in
nil.
5. No toxic or untoward effects of Bonnisan were observed in any case.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors acknowledge the help and involvement of the team member of this study, Dr. Rangesh
Paramesh, M.D (Ay), for the successful completion of this trial.