Can Probiotics Banish Colic?
Can Probiotics Banish Colic?
The treatment group had 238 children and the placebo group 230 children. There were no significant differences between the groups at enrollment or in attrition during the study. Differences in daily symptoms recorded by the parents at 1 and 3 months are summarized in the Table.
Table. Mean Daily Symptoms at 1 and 3 Months
Looking at secondary outcomes, treatment-group children had 44% fewer medical visits for gastrointestinal symptoms, 71% fewer emergency department visits, 82% fewer lost parental work days, and markedly less use of either prescribed or over-the-counter pharmacologic interventions. The study authors concluded that daily administration of probiotic to these infants was associated with a reduction in reported incidents of functional gastrointestinal symptoms.
This is a very compelling study, and the investigators deserve credit for carrying it out in a double-blind fashion. An accompanying editorial reviews some of the recent data showing the potential physiologic conditions that may be affected by the gut microbiome and makes very interesting reading. The editorialists appropriately point out that the 90-day experimental phase in this study may not be long enough to detect either late beneficial or late adverse events that might occur, and they also mention the importance of testing different types of probiotic preparations to see whether they have similar benefits or adverse effects. The differences in healthcare utilization between the groups is striking, however (71% fewer emergency department visits by the treatment group is clinically and financially significant!). These differences are certainly significant enough to mean that additional multicenter clinical trials such as this one should be given priority to help infants and parents and perhaps reduce healthcare costs.
Study Findings
The treatment group had 238 children and the placebo group 230 children. There were no significant differences between the groups at enrollment or in attrition during the study. Differences in daily symptoms recorded by the parents at 1 and 3 months are summarized in the Table.
Table. Mean Daily Symptoms at 1 and 3 Months
| Daily Symptoms | 1 Month | 3 Months | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Placebo | Treatment | Placebo | |
| Crying (minutes) | 45 | 96 | 37.7 | 70.9 |
| Stools (number) | 4.01 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 3.6 |
| Reflux (episodes) | No difference | 2.9 | 4.6 | |
Looking at secondary outcomes, treatment-group children had 44% fewer medical visits for gastrointestinal symptoms, 71% fewer emergency department visits, 82% fewer lost parental work days, and markedly less use of either prescribed or over-the-counter pharmacologic interventions. The study authors concluded that daily administration of probiotic to these infants was associated with a reduction in reported incidents of functional gastrointestinal symptoms.
Viewpoint
This is a very compelling study, and the investigators deserve credit for carrying it out in a double-blind fashion. An accompanying editorial reviews some of the recent data showing the potential physiologic conditions that may be affected by the gut microbiome and makes very interesting reading. The editorialists appropriately point out that the 90-day experimental phase in this study may not be long enough to detect either late beneficial or late adverse events that might occur, and they also mention the importance of testing different types of probiotic preparations to see whether they have similar benefits or adverse effects. The differences in healthcare utilization between the groups is striking, however (71% fewer emergency department visits by the treatment group is clinically and financially significant!). These differences are certainly significant enough to mean that additional multicenter clinical trials such as this one should be given priority to help infants and parents and perhaps reduce healthcare costs.
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