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Synbiotic in the management of infantile colic: a randomised controlled trial
Hamidreza Kianifar1, Hamid Ahanchian, Zubin Grover
1Pediatric Gastroenterology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Khorasan, Iran.
Insights
A synbiotic significantly reduced infant colic crying time within 7 days and 30 days compared to placebo. This probiotic and fructooligosaccharide mixture offers a safe and effective treatment for infant colic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infant colic affects 10-30% of infants in the first three months of life.
- Gut microbiota manipulation has shown potential for symptomatic improvement in previous trials.
- Understanding the role of gut health in infant well-being is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a synbiotic intervention in reducing infant crying time.
- To determine the impact of synbiotics on colic symptom resolution in infants.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of synbiotics for infant colic.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 50 breastfed infants diagnosed with infantile colic.
- Infants received either a synbiotic sachet (seven probiotic strains plus fructooligosaccharide) or a placebo daily for 30 days.
- Parents recorded daily crying times, with treatment success defined as >50% reduction in crying.
Main Results:
- Synbiotic group showed significantly higher treatment success (82.6% vs. 35.7% at day 7; 87% vs. 46% at day 30) compared to placebo.
- Symptom resolution (>90% reduction in crying) was significantly higher in the synbiotic group at day 7 (39% vs. 7%).
- No complications were reported with synbiotic use.
Conclusions:
- The tested synbiotic significantly improved colic symptoms in infants compared to placebo.
- Synbiotics represent a promising therapeutic option for managing infant colic.
- Early intervention with synbiotics may lead to rapid symptom relief.
Aim:
Infant colic is a frequent problem affecting up to 10-30% of infants in first 3 months of life. Results from previous trials have shown that manipulation of gut microbiota can lead to symptomatic improvements. In a randomised clinical trial, we aimed to determine efficacy of synbiotic in reducing average infant crying time at day 7 and day 30 after starting intervention.
Methods:
Fifty breastfed infants aged 15-120 days with infantile colic randomly assigned to receive either the synbiotic sachet containing 1 billion CFU of: Lactobacillus casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, B. infantis, L. bulgaricus and fructooligosacharide (Protexin Healthcare, Somerset, UK), or placebo daily for 30 days. Parents were asked to record details of crying times in a symptoms diary. The primary outcome measure was the treatment success (reduction in the daily crying time >50%) and the secondary outcome measure was symptom resolution (reduction in the daily crying time >90%).
Results:
The treatment success was significantly higher in synbiotic group (82.6%) compared with placebo (35.7%) at day 7 (P < 0.005). At day30, treatment success was 87% and 46% in synbiotic and placebo group, respectively (P < 0.01). Symptom resolution was also higher in synbiotic group (39%) compared with placebo (7%) at day 7 (P < 0.03) but not at day 30 (56% vs.36%, P = 0.24). We encountered no complication related to synbiotic use.
Conclusion:
This synbiotic (a mixture of seven probiotic strains plus FOS) significantly improved colic symptoms in comparison with placebo.
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