[Infants with colic. A heterogenous group possible to cure? Treatment by pediatric consultation followed by a study of the effect of zone therapy on incurable colic].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to investigate and treat infants with colic by conventional medicine followed by an investigation of the effect of reflexological treatment.


METHODS
The investigation was prospective, followed by a randomised, single-blind, double-controlled, prospective study of reflexological treatment with an interview and diary. Sixty-three infants aged 1-3 months referred by general practitioners with crying for > 90 minutes a day were given a paediatric examination and intervention. The cause of crying was discovered in 33 infants: Vitamin D (5), elimination of cow's milk protein (3), and anal stenosis (3); counselling on feeding, sleep, reduction of stimulation, and avoidance of passive smoking (22). Thirty infants without the benefit of paediatric consultation were randomised to three groups for a duration of two weeks: A: Presumed non-effective reflexological treatment vs B: Presumed effective reflexological treatment vs C: No treatment--only observation. The most important parameter was the number of crying hours over 24 hours. Cure was defined as crying for less than or equal to 30 minutes.


RESULTS
Examination by the paediatrician: Thirty-three of 63 infants benefited with a reduction in crying of less than 90 minutes and 13 of these infants were cured. The randomised study: In group C (control), none of the patients was cured. In groups A and B (presumed non-effective reflexological treatment and presumed effective treatment), half the patients were cured, which was significantly better than in group C. There was no significant difference between groups A and B, but B seemed better than group A. B was significantly better than C.


CONCLUSIONS
Infantile colic had a significant cure rate at paediatric consultation and the children who did not benefit from this intervention had a significantly better outcome after reflexological treatment than had the observation group. Further investigations in reflexological treatment in infants are recommended.
Bennedbaek
O
O
Aalborg Universitet, Institut for Matematiske Fag.
Viktor
J
J
Carlsen
K S
KS
Roed
H
H
Vinding
H
H
Lundbye-Christensen
S
S
D003085:Colic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003448:Crying; D003718:Denmark; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008405:Massage; D010372:Pediatrics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014807:Vitamin D