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Altered fecal microflora and increased fecal calprotectin in infants with colic

J Marc Rhoads1, Nicole Y Fatheree, Johana Norori

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston-School of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. J.Marc.Rhoads@uth.tmc.edu

The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Infants with colic show higher levels of gut inflammation and a less diverse gut microbiome. This study suggests colic may have an organic basis involving intestinal inflammation and altered gut bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Infant colic is a common condition with an unknown cause.
  • Previous theories suggested colic was nonorganic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gut inflammation, colonic fermentation, and colonic flora as potential mechanisms for infant colic.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal calprotectin, stool microorganisms, and breath hydrogen levels were measured in 36 infants.
  • Infants were categorized into colic and control groups based on crying duration.

Main Results:

  • Infants with colic exhibited significantly higher fecal calprotectin levels, indicating gut inflammation.
  • Colic infants had reduced microbial diversity and altered bacterial composition (e.g., increased Klebsiella).
  • Differences in feeding or antibiotic exposure did not explain these findings.

Conclusions:

  • Infant colic is associated with evidence of intestinal neutrophilic infiltration.
  • Altered fecal microflora and reduced microbial diversity are present in infants with colic.
  • These findings suggest an organic pathophysiological basis for colic.
Abstract

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