Probiotics May Alleviate Colic Symptoms in Breastfed Infants

Understanding Colic in Infants

A recent study reveals that breastfed infants given probiotics to manage colic exhibit reduced symptoms and crying episodes. Colic, characterized by excessive crying and distress, affects over 25% of babies between six weeks and three months old. These prolonged crying spells can lead to significant parental distress, sleep deprivation, increased risk of depression, and potential cases of shaken baby syndrome due to escalating frustration and guilt.

The Limitations of Current Remedies

While parents often turn to over-the-counter medications for relief, few are proven effective in mitigating the crying that disrupts their sleep. This underscores the importance of the new research published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

The Study’s Methodology

The study involved 80 infants around six weeks old, divided into two groups. One group received the BB-12 strain of Bifidobacterium animalis, a widely used probiotic, while the other received a placebo without any bacteria. The double-blind design ensured that neither parents nor researchers knew which treatment each infant received, maintaining the integrity of the observations.

Researchers monitored crying frequency and duration, stool frequency and consistency, and various indicators of gut health over a 28-day period.

Key Findings of the Research

The results were significant. Approximately 80% of infants in the BB-12 group experienced a reduction in crying duration by over 50%, compared to only 32% in the placebo group. Additionally, the frequency of crying in the BB-12 group declined by half, while the placebo group’s frequency decreased by only 25%. Notably, improvements in crying duration were evident within the first week of treatment.

In terms of stool patterns, infants receiving BB-12 had fewer stools per day, while no change occurred in the placebo group. However, stool consistency remained similar between both groups. Indicators of gut health showed that infants in the BB-12 group had higher levels of probiotic bacteria and fewer signs of gut inflammation, potentially explaining their reduced crying.

Safety and Limitations

The study concluded that probiotics for colic appear to be both effective and safe, with only one instance of a child experiencing a mild respiratory reaction, likely due to a pre-existing condition. Overall, infants in the BB-12 group demonstrated significantly less discomfort compared to those receiving the placebo.

However, the findings do not guarantee similar outcomes for all infants treated with probiotics. Notably, 20% of the BB-12 group did not experience significant improvements. Furthermore, since the study exclusively involved breastfed infants, there is no data on whether formula-fed infants would benefit similarly.

References

Nocerino, R. et al (2019). The therapeutic efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12® in infant colic: A randomised, double blind, placebo‐controlled trial. [online] Wiley Online Library. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/apt.15561 [Accessed 5 Dec. 2019].
EurekAlert!. (2019). Probiotic may help treat colic in infants. [online] Available at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/w-pmh120219.php [Accessed 6 Dec. 2019].
Alex L. Rogovik, R. (2019). Treating infants’ colic. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479474/ [Accessed 6 Dec. 2019].
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