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Avicenna (AD 980 to 1037) and the care of the newborn infant and breastfeeding

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 3–6 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

A brief historical review of medicine during the fourth century Islamic civilization or eleventh century AD in Persia or Iran was undertaken with its focus on Avicenna. A physician–philosopher, named Ibn Sina or Avicenna (980 to 1037), followed and further expanded the tradition of western philosophy and medicine by Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen. Avicenna, a physician, philosopher, astrologist, anatomist, pharmacologist, ethicist and poet wrote, the Canon of Medicine, the most comprehensive medical textbook of its time. This important textbook was extensively used in European medical schools for centuries after Avicenna's death. In the Canon of Medicine, a chapter is dedicated to the care of the newborn infant dealing with hygiene, breastfeeding and upbringing of the child.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    H D Modanlou

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  1. H D Modanlou
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Correspondence to H D Modanlou.

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This work was presented at the 2007 Pediatric Academic Society—Society for Pediatric Research meeting, Toronto, Canada.

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Modanlou, H. Avicenna (AD 980 to 1037) and the care of the newborn infant and breastfeeding. J Perinatol 28, 3–6 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211832

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