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Probiotics for the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review
Anna Schreck Bird1, Philip J Gregory1,2, Mohamed A Jalloh1
11 Center for Drug Information & Evidence-Based Practice, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
Insights
Probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri significantly reduced crying time in colicky infants. This probiotic intervention was found to be safe and effective for breastfed babies experiencing colic.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infantile colic is a common condition in newborns.
- Probiotics are suggested as a potential management strategy.
- Specific probiotic strains studied in infants are generally considered safe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of probiotics for infantile colic.
- To assess clinical data supporting probiotic use.
- To determine if probiotics can manage colic symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Included RCTs focused on crying/fussing time as primary endpoint.
- Meta-analysis compared probiotic responders vs. non-responders.
Main Results:
- Five RCTs involving Lactobacillus reuteri strains were analyzed.
- Infants receiving probiotics showed a 2.3-fold increased chance of reduced crying.
- No adverse events were associated with probiotic supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation is safe and effective for breastfed infants with colic.
- Further research is required for formula-fed infants.
- Probiotics show promise in managing infantile colic.
Objective:
To evaluate whether clinical data support the safety and efficacy of probiotics for the management of infantile colic.
Background:
Probiotics have been suggested as a potential strategy for infantile colic, and the specific species that have been studied in healthy infants are considered to be safe.
Methodology:
A systematic review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of probiotic supplementation in infants with colic. RCTs with a primary end point assessing crying or fussing time were selected. A meta-analysis comparing "responders" to "nonresponders" in infants receiving probiotic versus control was conducted. The quality of trials selected was assessed.
Results:
Five RCTs assessing 2 different strains of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in mostly breastfed infants were identified. Analysis of response rates showed that infants receiving probiotics had a 2.3-fold greater chance of having a 50% or greater decrease in crying/fussing time compared to controls ( P = .01). Probiotic supplementation was not associated with any adverse events.
Conclusion:
Supplementation with the probiotic L. reuteri in breastfed infants appears to be safe and effective for the management of infantile colic. Further research is needed to determine the role of probiotics in infants who are formula-fed.
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