Colic in infants

Peter Lucassen1

  • 1Department of General Practice, Radbound University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Insights

This systematic review examines colic treatments for infants, finding varied evidence on interventions like gripe water and infant massage. It assesses the effectiveness and safety of numerous colic remedies for families seeking relief.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Infant colic affects 17% of families, frequently leading to healthcare consultations.
  • Prevalence varies significantly based on study design and recording methods, as noted in previous reviews.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of various treatments for infant colic.
  • To answer the clinical question regarding the effects of different colic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted a systematic review of literature up to September 2009.
  • Searched major databases including Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Library.
  • Included harms alerts from regulatory agencies like the FDA and MHRA.

Main Results:

  • Identified 27 systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies meeting inclusion criteria.
  • Performed a GRADE evaluation to assess the quality of evidence for interventions.
  • Compiled information on the effectiveness and safety of multiple colic treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Presents findings on interventions such as increased carrying, reduced stimulation, hydrolysate milks, cranial osteopathy, gripe water, and infant massage.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness and safety of treatments including simethicone, soya-based feeds, and spinal manipulation.
  • Provides a comprehensive overview of available evidence for infant colic interventions.
Abstract

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