Lactobacillus Reuteri Versus Herbal Drop in the Treatment of Infantile Colic: a Prospective Study

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study: Lactobacillus Reuteri Versus Herbal Drop in the Treatment of Infantile Colic

The aim was to test the hypothesis that oral administration of Lactobacillus reuteri in a prospective randomized controlled study would improve symptoms of infantile colic.

Infantile colic ıs one of the most common problems within the first 3 months of life, affecting as many as 3% to 28% of newborn children. It consists of a behavioral syndrome characterized by paroxysmal, excessive, inconsolable crying without identifiable cause. Lactobacillus reuteri, one of the few endogenous lactobacillus species in the human gastrointestinal tract, has been used safely for many years as a probiotic dietary supplement in adults, and recent data demonstrated safety after long-term dietary supplementation for newborn infants. The positive effects of this probiotic on intestinal disorders such as constipation and diarrhea and in protection from infection,as well as its capacity to modulate immune responses. The aim was to test the hypothesis that oral administration of Lactobacillus reuteri in a prospective randomized controlled study would improve symptoms of infantile colic.

Lactobacillus reuteri (BioGaia, Stockholm, Sweden):at a dose of 100 million colony forming unit in 5 drops, 30 minutes after feeding, once per day for 3 weeks

Herbal drop containing sodium bicarbonate, Pimpinella anisum oil, foeniculum vulgare oil, Mentha piperita (Babs, Berko, Istanbul, Turkey):5 drops 30 minutes after feeding, once per day for 3 weeks

Lactobacillus reuteri (BioGaia, Stockholm, Sweden):at a dose of 100 million colony forming unit in 5 drops, 30 minutes after feeding, once per day for 3 weeks

Herbal drop containing sodium bicarbonate, Pimpinella anisum oil,foeniculum vulgare oil, Mentha piperita (Babs, Berko, Istanbul, Turkey):5 drops 30 minutes after feeding, once per day for 3 weeks

Infants crying episodes, feeding and stooling characteristics, growth, weight gain were noted weekly for three weeks

Emotional structures of mother's behaviour were evaluated before and at 2nd month with Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tests.

Inclusion Criteria: infants three weeks to three months infants with colic three hours of crying on three days in the week infants feeding with breast milk infants weighing 2500 to 4000 gram Exclusion Criteria: chronic illness gastrointestinal disorders infants received either antibiotics or probiotics in the previous week

Savino F, Pelle E, Palumeri E, Oggero R, Miniero R. Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized study. Pediatrics. 2007 Jan;119(1):e124-30. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-1222.