Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Infantile Colic Treated With Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330: A Randomized,
Ke Chen1,2, Changqi Liu3, Hua Li4
1Department of Nutrition, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Insights
This study found that a probiotic mix of Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330 significantly reduced crying time in infants with colic. The probiotic treatment also improved stool consistency, offering a potential new therapy for infantile colic.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Infantile colic is a common condition in infants under 4 months.
- Previous attempts to treat infantile colic with probiotics have yielded variable and often low-evidence results.
- The efficacy of specific probiotic strains in managing colic symptoms requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that oral administration of a specific probiotic mix, Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 (KABP042) and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330 (KABP041), improves infantile colic symptoms.
- To evaluate the impact of this probiotic combination on infant crying time and stool consistency.
- To assess the responder ratio and frequency of crying/fussing episodes in infants receiving the probiotic intervention.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 112 infants under 2 months meeting ROME IV criteria for infantile colic.
- Infants were randomized to receive either the probiotic mix (1 × 10^9 CFU) or a placebo daily for 21 days.
- Crying time, stool consistency, stool frequency, and quality of life were assessed throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving the probiotic intervention showed significantly reduced crying time on days 7, 14, and 21 compared to the placebo group.
- A higher responder ratio and fewer crying/fussing episodes were observed in the intervention group.
- Improved stool consistency was noted in the intervention group by day 21, while stool frequency and quality of life showed no significant changes.
Conclusions:
- Daily oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 (KABP042) and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330 (KABP041) is an effective treatment for reducing crying time in infantile colic.
- This probiotic combination also demonstrates efficacy in improving fecal consistency in colicky infants.
- The findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for this specific probiotic mix in managing infantile colic symptoms.
Abstract:
Background: Colic is a common condition in infants <4 months of age. Attempts to treat infantile colic with probiotics have shown variable efficacy and overall low evidence of success. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 (KABP042) and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330 (KABP041) mix (1 × 109 colony forming units) would improve the symptoms of infantile colic. Methods: A total of 112 exclusively breastfed or mixed fed infants aged <2 months and meeting the ROME IV criteria for infantile colic were recruited. The infants were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to receive orally administered probiotics (intervention group, IG, n = 48) or placebo (placebo group, PG, n = 42) daily for 21 days. Results: Infants in the IG had significantly shorter crying time (p < 0.001) on day 7 [IG vs. PG, median (25-75th percentile): 38 (3.5-40.5) vs. 62 (40-108) min/day], day 14 [IG vs. PG: 20 (0-40) vs. 50 (30-75) min/day], and day 21 [IG vs. PG: 14 (0-33) vs. 40 (28-62) min/day]. Higher responder ratio and fewer crying/fussing episodes on days 7, 14, and 21 and better stool consistency on day 21 were observed in the IG (p < 0.01) as compared to the PG. Conversely, no significant effects on stool frequency or quality of life were observed. Conclusions: In summary, daily oral administration of B. longum CECT7894 (KABP042) and P. pentosaceus CECT8330 (KABP041) was an effective treatment for shortening crying time due to infantile colic and for improving fecal consistency. This trial was registered retrospectively in December 2019 with a trial number of ISRCTN92431452.
