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Treatment of infantile colic with surface active substance (simethicone)
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|May 1, 1985
Insights
Simethicone did not show significant effects on infant colic symptoms in a double-blind study. Most infant improvements were attributed to a strong placebo effect, not the medication itself.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile colic is a common condition affecting newborns.
- Limited evidence exists for pharmacological interventions in infantile colic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Simethicone in treating infantile colic.
- To differentiate drug effects from placebo responses in colicky infants.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, cross-over study design was employed with 27 infants.
- Treatment efficacy was assessed via parental interviews, 24-hour infant records, and behavioral observations.
Main Results:
- Simethicone demonstrated no statistically significant effect on infantile colic symptoms.
- A notable 67% improvement rate was observed, suggesting a significant placebo effect.
Conclusions:
- Simethicone is not effective for treating infantile colic.
- The placebo effect plays a substantial role in perceived infant colic symptom improvement.
Abstract:
The effect of Simethicone on "colicky" (n = 27) infants was tested in a double-blind cross-over study. Three different parameters were used to measure the efficiency of the treatment: interviews, 24-hour records and behavioral observations. No effects of Simethicone on the symptoms of infantile colic could be demonstrated. However, 67% of the infants improved during the treatment, which could be ascribed to a high-grade placebo-effect.