title: A real world evaluation of a treatment for infant colic based on the experience and perceptions of 4004 parents.
abstract: Infant colic (IC) is a common condition in young babies seen by primary care health professionals, especially health visitors. Nevertheless, the diagnostic criteria for IC are vague, which has resulted in a lack of clarity in published guidance on its causes and treatment. Credence has been given to alternative therapies, while health professionals are sceptical about the efficacy of over-the-counter treatments. Some 4004 parents of babies considered to have IC participated in this retrospective real world evidence study on the efficacy of a simeticone suspension in the treatment of IC. They were recruited via social media sources and were eligible for inclusion if their baby had received at least one dose of the simeticone suspension. Data were collected via an online questionnaire. The results showed that crying and discomfort-associated behaviour reduced and the babies' sleeping patterns improved following use of the suspension. More than two-thirds (69.7%) of respondents, who either used the suspension on its own or alongside another treatment, reported improvements in the signs of IC within one day. Almost all (93.2%) considered that its use was associated with either complete resolution of IC or had some effect on symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Chief Medical Officer, Iatros Consulting, London.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.affiliation: Director of WeThink and Consultant to Teva UK, London.
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beaumont
mesh_terms: D000934:Antifoaming Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003085:Colic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003448:Crying; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D064691:Nurses, Community Health; D010290:Parents; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012841:Simethicone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000934:Antifoaming Agents; D012841:Simethicone
keywords: Wessel criteria; crying; infact colic; real world evidence; simeticone; trapped wind