Probiotics are not effective in treating colic in infants.

Research results from Australia and Canada have shown that the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri does not reduce fussiness in infants with colic.

Infant colic (crying of unknown origin) occurs in approximately 20% of infants and is a major burden for families and healthcare facilities. Although the condition usually resolves on its own by 3-4 months of age, the cause remains unclear and there is no effective treatment.

Previous small trials have indicated that the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri effectively treats colic in breastfed infants. However, these studies have limitations as they only examined a select group of infants with colic. The effectiveness of L. reuteri on formula-fed infants with colic remains unclear.

Therefore, researchers in Australia and Canada studied to determine whether the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri reduced fussiness in 167 infants under 3 months old with colic who were breastfed and formula-fed.

A total of 85 children were randomly assigned to receive probiotics and 82 children to receive a placebo for one month. Results were calculated based on daily crying time at 1 month, sleep duration, maternal mental health, family quality of life, and child quality of life.

The diversity of gut bacteria, calprotectin in stool (an indicator of inflammatory bowel disease), and E. coli invasion are also checked.

The results showed that the probiotic group cried significantly more than the placebo group at all time points from day 7 to one month. At one month, the probiotic group cried for 49 minutes longer than the placebo group. This increased crying only occurred in formula-fed infants. L-reuteri did not affect crying duration in exclusively breastfed infants. L-reuteri treatment did not lead to changes in stool bacterial diversity, E. coli invasion, or calprotein levels.

Researchers say this was the largest randomized controlled trial ever conducted on probiotic intervention in infants with colic. They concluded that treatment with L. reuteri did not reduce fussiness in infants with colic and did not improve infant sleep, maternal mental health, family or infant quality of life, and therefore probiotics are not recommended for all infants with colic.

According to the researchers, further studies are needed to determine which group of infants with colic might benefit from probiotics.

In a commentary accompanying the report, William E Bennett, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Indian University School of Medicine, stated that this is, to date, the best-designed study on this controversial topic. He argued that treatment with probiotics for infants with colic should be considered while there is still clear evidence. He emphasized that the colic symptoms will subside and the child will not suffer serious long-term effects, while the potential harm associated with diagnostic testing and treatment seems to outweigh the harm caused by the colic itself.

According to dantri.com