Optimizing Care for Infants with Colic through Probiotic Intervention

Infantile colic is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by excessive crying and irritability in otherwise healthy infants during the first few months of life. Although the exact cause remains unclear, recent studies suggest that an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota may be a possible cause. Probiotics are, therefore, being explored as a promising and natural way to support gut health and relieve colic symptoms.

We carried out a systematic literature review using the CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. Boolean operators and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify relevant studies. The selection process is shown in a PRISMA diagram. The results of the identified studies were analysed, summarized, and presented descriptively and in table form.

Out of 352 identified records, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies showed that probiotics reduced daily crying time and infant irritability, improved sleep, decreased faecal calprotectin, and increased the number of lactobacilli in the intestinal microbiota.

Our review has shown that probiotics can help reduce crying and restlessness in infants with colic and improve their sleep. The effectiveness of probiotics depends on the strain used, and better results were observed in breastfed infants compared to those who were formula-fed. Further studies are needed to confirm which probiotic strains are most effective and to better understand their role in relieving infantile colic.