Clinical Efficacy Of Lactase Enzyme Supplement In Infant Colic: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Infant colic, characterized by excessive crying, affects a significant number of infants.
• Current management strategies for infant colic have varying degrees of effectiveness.
• The role of lactase enzyme in alleviating colic symptoms warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of lactase enzyme supplementation in managing infant colic.
• To compare the reduction in crying duration between infants receiving lactase enzyme and those receiving a placebo.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 104 infants aged 0-6 months diagnosed with infant colic.
• Infants were randomized into two groups: one receiving lactase enzyme (Colibid) and the other a placebo, for two weeks.
• Crying duration was recorded at baseline and after one and two weeks of intervention, with statistical analysis at p<0.05.

Main Results:

• After two weeks, 86.5% of infants in the lactase enzyme group showed significant improvement in crying duration compared to 59.6% in the placebo group.
• The reduction in crying duration in the lactase enzyme group was statistically significant (p<0.05).
• No significant difference in crying duration was observed between boys and girls.

Conclusions:

• Lactase enzyme supplementation demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing crying duration in infants suffering from colic.
• The findings support the use of lactase enzyme as a potential therapeutic option for infant colic.
• Further research may explore optimal dosage and long-term effects.