Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysis

Valerie Sung, Sarsha Maree Collett, Tanyth E de Gooyer, Harriet Hiscock, Mimi L Tang, Melissa Wake

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Excessive infant crying is common, distressing, but without proven effective prevention or management options. Probiotics may be a promising solution. OBJECTIVE To examine whether probiotics are effective in the prevention/management of crying ( colic ) in infants 3 months or younger. DATA SOURCES A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by the metaRegister of Controlled Trials. STUDY SELECTION Studies 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 SYNTHESIS This 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. RESULTS Of 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
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1150 - 1157
Number of pages8
JournalJAMA Pediatrics
Volume167
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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