The Crying Baby /

Probiotics and colic

01 In Brief

Recently, the use of probiotics (live micro-organisms that confer a health benefit) for colic has rapidly gained popularity Although smaller studies suggested that probiotics may helpful. Unfortunately a recent study demonstrated that there was no improvement. Watch the video on the link.

02 What Do I Need To Know?

A recent study at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne looked at whether probiotics improved symptoms of colic. 

The study included 167 young babies with colic and looked at whether giving them daily drops of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) improved symptoms, in comparison to giving them inactive placebo drops. This organism had shown promise in smaller earler studies. The researchers found the treatment did not help.

03 What Others Say

NHS choices news

Probiotics "no good" at treating infant colic

04 Clinicians Tools and Resources

  • Read the original article published in the  BMJ 2014;348:g2107
  • And watch the video link

Treating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial

 

The information published here has been reviewed by Flourish Paediatrics and represents the available published literature at the time of review.
The information is not intended to take the place of medical advice.
Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Read our terms and conditions

Last updated: 05/04/2014