Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
The goal was to test the hypothesis that oral administration of Lactobacillus reuteri in a prospective randomized study would improve symptoms of infantile colic.


METHODS
Ninety breastfed colicky infants were assigned randomly to receive either the probiotic L. reuteri (10(8) live bacteria per day) or simethicone (60 mg/day) each day for 28 days. The mothers avoided cow's milk in their diet. Parents monitored daily crying times and adverse effects by using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Eighty-three infants completed the trial: 41 in the probiotic group and 42 in the simethicone group. The infants were similar regarding gestational age, birth weight, gender, and crying time at baseline. Daily median crying times in the probiotic and simethicone groups were 159 minutes/day and 177 minutes/day, respectively, on the seventh day and 51 minutes/day and 145 minutes/day on the 28th day. On day 28, 39 patients (95%) were responders in the probiotic group and 3 patients (7%) were responders in the simethicone group. No adverse effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
In our cohort, L. reuteri improved colicky symptoms in breastfed infants within 1 week of treatment, compared with simethicone, which suggests that probiotics may have a role in the treatment of infantile colic.
Savino
Francesco
F
Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia, 94 10126 Turin, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it
Pelle
Emanuela
E
Palumeri
Elisabetta
E
Oggero
Roberto
R
Miniero
Roberto
R
D000934:Antifoaming Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003085:Colic / Q000628:therapy*; D003448:Crying; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012841:Simethicone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000934:Antifoaming Agents; D012841:Simethicone