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Probiotics to Prevent or Treat Excessive Infant Crying

Probiotics to Prevent or Treat Excessive Infant Crying ImportanceExcessive infant crying is common, distressing, but without proven effective prevention or management options. Probiotics may be a promising solution. ObjectiveTo examine whether probiotics are effective in the prevention/management of crying (“colic”) in infants 3 months or younger. Data SourcesA systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by the metaRegister of Controlled Trials. Study SelectionStudies that randomized infants 3 months or younger to oral probiotics vs placebo or no or standard treatment with the outcome of infant crying, measured as the duration or number of episodes of infant crying/distress or diagnosis of “infant colic.” Twelve of the 1180 initially identified studies were selected. Data Extraction and SynthesisThis review/meta-analysis was conducted according to guidelines from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, with reporting following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Data were independently extracted by 3 of us. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)Infant crying, measured as the duration or number of episodes of infant crying/distress, or diagnosis of “infant colic.” ResultsOf the 12 trials (1825 infants) reviewed, 6 suggested probiotics reduced crying, and 6 did not. Three of the 5 management trials concluded probiotics effectively treat colic in breastfed babies; 1 suggested possible effectiveness in formula-fed babies with colic, and 1 suggested ineffectiveness in breastfed babies with colic. Meta-analysis of 3 small trials of breastfed infants with colic found that Lactobacillus reuteri markedly reduced crying time at 21 days (median difference, −65 minutes/d; 95% CI, −86 to −44). However, all trials had potential biases. Meanwhile, of 7 prevention trials, 2 suggested possible benefits. Considerable variability in the study populations, study type, delivery mode/dose of probiotic supplementation, and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. Conclusions and RelevanceAlthough L reuteri may be effective as treatment for crying in exclusively breastfed infants with colic, there is still insufficient evidence to support probiotic use to manage colic, especially in formula-fed infants, or to prevent infant crying. Results from larger rigorously designed studies applicable to all crying infants will help draw more definitive conclusions. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA Pediatrics American Medical Association

Probiotics to Prevent or Treat Excessive Infant Crying

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References (37)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright 2013 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.
ISSN
2168-6203
eISSN
2168-6211
DOI
10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2572
pmid
24100440
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

ImportanceExcessive infant crying is common, distressing, but without proven effective prevention or management options. Probiotics may be a promising solution. ObjectiveTo examine whether probiotics are effective in the prevention/management of crying (“colic”) in infants 3 months or younger. Data SourcesA systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by the metaRegister of Controlled Trials. Study SelectionStudies that randomized infants 3 months or younger to oral probiotics vs placebo or no or standard treatment with the outcome of infant crying, measured as the duration or number of episodes of infant crying/distress or diagnosis of “infant colic.” Twelve of the 1180 initially identified studies were selected. Data Extraction and SynthesisThis review/meta-analysis was conducted according to guidelines from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, with reporting following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Data were independently extracted by 3 of us. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)Infant crying, measured as the duration or number of episodes of infant crying/distress, or diagnosis of “infant colic.” ResultsOf the 12 trials (1825 infants) reviewed, 6 suggested probiotics reduced crying, and 6 did not. Three of the 5 management trials concluded probiotics effectively treat colic in breastfed babies; 1 suggested possible effectiveness in formula-fed babies with colic, and 1 suggested ineffectiveness in breastfed babies with colic. Meta-analysis of 3 small trials of breastfed infants with colic found that Lactobacillus reuteri markedly reduced crying time at 21 days (median difference, −65 minutes/d; 95% CI, −86 to −44). However, all trials had potential biases. Meanwhile, of 7 prevention trials, 2 suggested possible benefits. Considerable variability in the study populations, study type, delivery mode/dose of probiotic supplementation, and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. Conclusions and RelevanceAlthough L reuteri may be effective as treatment for crying in exclusively breastfed infants with colic, there is still insufficient evidence to support probiotic use to manage colic, especially in formula-fed infants, or to prevent infant crying. Results from larger rigorously designed studies applicable to all crying infants will help draw more definitive conclusions.

Journal

JAMA PediatricsAmerican Medical Association

Published: Dec 1, 2013

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