Effects of probiotic supplementation on infantile colic

Infantile colic, or excessive crying of unknown cause, affects up to 20% of infants and is a major burden to families and health services. Studies have implicated a potential role of the intestinal microbiota in infantile colic. Infants with colic are reported to have increased concentrations of gas forming organisms and proteobacteria such as Escherichia coli in their gut. Recent evidence suggests that probiotics might offer some benefit in controlling this problem.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to systematically review current literature on the impact of probiotic supplementation on infantile colic.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science were searched for clinical trials until 2 March 2019 using the following keywords: Probiotic , Symbiotic , Lactobacillus , Streptococcus , Bifidobacterium , Saccharomyces* , Pediococcus , Pediococcus , Infantile colic , Colic and Infantile crying without any filters activated. Infantile crying was considered as the primary outcome. Results: After excluding non-eligible articles, five randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of probiotic supplementation on colic remained. Lactobacillus reuteri(L. reuteri) was used in 4 studies and only one study used Bifidobacteria. Probiotics were most effective on the reduction of fussing time, daily average crying time, duration of crying and quality of life, respectively. Duration of probiotic ranged from 1 week to 6 months. But the best result was seen with the supplementation duration of 1 week up to 30 days.Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation might relief infantile colic leading to reduced fussing and crying time. The best effects were seen with L. reuteri, when supplemented up to 30 days. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of other probiotics on infantile colic, and also the best time for starting probiotic supplements

Keywords:

infantile colic , crying , probiotic , intestinal microbiota