Probiotics for the Management of Infantile Colic A Systematic Review

Background: Colic is defined as periods of inconsolable crying, fussing, or irritability that have no apparent cause and present in healthy infants under 5 months of age. Although colic is a benign and self-limiting condition, it can be distressing to parents and there are few robust treatment interventions. This systematic review explored the evidence for administration of probiotics to prevent or decrease symptoms of colic. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Sample: Twenty articles were included: 15 randomized controlled trials and 5 meta-analyses. Results: Based on the evidence in this systematic review, the oral administration of probiotics to breastfed infants with colic resulted in at least a 50% reduction in crying time compared with placebo. Efficacy of probiotics to reduce colic symptoms in formula-fed infants needs further study. In this review, we did not find evidence to support or refute efficacy of probiotics to prevent infantile colic. Clinical Implication: Probiotics (especially the strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938) can safely be recommended if parents desire a treatment option for their infants with colic.

Automated summary

The systematic review found that oral administration of probiotics to breastfed infants with colic can reduce crying time by at least 50%, while further research is needed to study the efficacy of probiotics in reducing colic symptoms in formula-fed infants. There is currently no evidence to support or refute the efficacy of probiotics in preventing infantile colic.