Preventing and Treating Colic: An Update

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Infantile colic (IC) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) impacting newborns and families.
• While generally self-limiting, IC symptoms can be concerning and rarely indicate serious underlying issues.
• The multifactorial pathogenesis of IC involves complex infant-environment interactions, with gut microbiota emerging as a key factor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review commonly studied probiotics and probiotic mixtures for treating and preventing infantile colic.
• To present recent clinical recommendations for probiotic use in infantile colic management.
• To explore the role of gut microbiota modulation in addressing infantile colic.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials on probiotics for infantile colic.
• Analysis of studies investigating the gut microbial environment in colicky versus healthy infants.
• Synthesis of current evidence on probiotic efficacy and safety in infantile colic.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests differences in gut microbiota composition between colicky and healthy infants.
• Probiotics have the potential to alter the host's microbiota and improve health outcomes.
• Specific probiotics and mixtures show promise in managing infantile colic symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota modulation via probiotics is a promising therapeutic avenue for infantile colic.
• Further research is needed to establish optimal probiotic strains and dosages for infantile colic.
• Probiotics may help restore balance in the intestinal microbiota of colicky newborns.