Infant colic

Infant colic is a frequent problem

Infant colic is diagnosed in as many as 26% of infants, making the condition one of the most common reasons for visits to paediatricians and family practitioners. It is defined as excessive crying and is inconsolable for more than 3 hours a day at least 3 days a week for 1 week or more in an otherwise healthy baby, and is most frequently observed in neonates and infants aged 2 weeks to 4 months.

A poorly understood condition

Despite decades of research the cause of infantile colic remains unknown. But of the probably multiple contributing factors, the role of the intestinal microflora has recently come into focus. Lower counts of intestinal lactobacilli have been observed in colicky infants compared to healthy ones.

Proven effect on infant colic with L. reuteri Protectis

BioGaia Probiotic products for Child Health contain Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis. In a study published in the Pediatrics 2007, L. reuteri Protectis significantly reduced crying time in infantile colic compared with simethicone. 
Another study published in the Pediatrics 2010 L. reuteri Protectis confirmed the reduced crying time in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. After only one week of supplementation the reduction in daily crying time was 74 % among the infants supplemented by L. reuteri Protectis compared to 38 % in the placebo group.

More studies in this area are currently being performed.