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Jalal MS, Mehdi SZ, Akber JU, Gowa MA, Lifschitz C. Infantile Colic: A Survey of Physicians in Pakistan. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2024; 27:186-195. [PMID: 38818275 PMCID: PMC11134182 DOI: 10.5223/pghn.2024.27.3.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Infantile colic diagnostic criteria were established by Rome IV. A universally accepted management remains to be established. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic criteria, management strategies, and perceived regional prevalence of infantile colic in Pakistan, as well as its effect on physicians and parents. Methods A questionnaire was distributed amongst 1,256 physicians. Results We received 800 replies. Wessel and Rome IV criteria were used by most physicians for diagnosis; however, the response "any infant who cries a lot" was selected by older physicians (48% of those over 60 years), physicians in rural areas (32%), physicians practicing in private clinics (27%), and general physicians (30%). Estimated prevalence of infantile colic ranges from 21-40%. Reassurance was the most widely recommended management strategy followed by herbal teas (51%), switching to a different formula (49%), probiotics (28%) and antibiotics (26%), discontinuation of breastfeeding (14%), elimination of dairy products from the breastfeeding mothers' diet (6%), and the administration of colic drops (1%). Most physicians considered the negative impact of colic on their personal lives and the parents as mild-to-moderate. Notably, 38% of percent of physicians routinely screened for maternal depression, and 45% of physicians were aware of the association between infantile colic and shaken baby syndrome. Conclusion Most physicians in Pakistan diagnose and manage infantile colic according to the established guidelines. However, the guidelines pertaining to treatment planning are not followed. Educational efforts directed toward general physicians and doctors practicing in rural areas and clinics must be implemented to avoid unnecessary testing and treatment burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saif Jalal
- Department of Pediatrics, Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Zafar Mehdi
- Department of Pediatrics, Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jalal Uddin Akber
- Department of Pediatrics, Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Carlos Lifschitz
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Vaz SR, Tofoli MH, Avelino MAG, da Costa PSS. Probiotics for infantile colic: Is there evidence beyond doubt? A meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:170-182. [PMID: 37962097 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials that employed probiotics and symbiotics for treating infantile colic. METHODS We performed electronic systematic literature searches in Embase, PubMed and Web of Science, to identify articles published between 1950 and April 2023. Only RCT involving infants with infantile colic under 3 months were included. The treatment plan comprised 15 probiotics, which included Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis BB-12. The probiotics were administered alone or in combination with a prebiotic, vs. no intervention or a placebo. RESULTS Probiotics resulted in an average reduction of 51 min of crying per day (p = 0.001). Further analysis of subgroups showed that the reduction was -39.30 min for vaginal delivery (p = 0.003), -64.66 min for Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (p = 0.03), -40.45 min for other strains (p < 0.00001), -74.28 min for exclusively breastfed infants (p = 0.0003) and -48.04 min for mixed feeding (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION All probiotic strains seem effective in treating infantile colic. Exclusively breastfed infants have demonstrated more significant reduction in crying time. However, the available evidence on the effectiveness of probiotics in formula-fed and caesarean-born infants is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marise Helena Tofoli
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, State Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Goiânia, Brazil
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Alzahrani TH, Anteet AM. Mothers' Awareness Towards Infantile Colic in Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e50364. [PMID: 38213344 PMCID: PMC10782146 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Infantile colic is defined as severe pain in the abdominal region of a baby primarily due to gastrointestinal implications and is believed to self-resolve with time. Recently established Rome IV criteria of diagnosis state that infantile colic should be diagnosed if there are symptoms like excessive crying, irritability and fussiness. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of maternal awareness towards infantile colic in Saudi Arabia and to explore the relationship between the level of awareness and different socio-demographic factors like age, gender, nationality, etc. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia from February to May 2021. An online self-administered questionnaire via Google Forms was used as the primary data collection tool. The generated link was randomly shared on electronic social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Twitter. Results A total of 425 participants were finally enrolled in the study. One-third of the participants (n=141, 33.2%) were aged more than 40 years and 399 were married (93.9%). Out of a total of 20 points, the mean score of maternal awareness was found to be 13.6±2.5. One-third of the participants (n=143, 33.6%) thought that rocking or carrying the baby would soothe the colic symptoms. Further, 175 participants (41.2%) used pain-relieving drugs and 7.8% sang lullabies. A total of 346 (81.4%) usually got frustrated/exhausted due to excessive crying sessions of the baby. Additionally, those who had received guidelines, educational programs or awareness sessions about the management of colic symptoms in babies had a significant awareness level (P-value = 0.032), while those who had not received education had poorer awareness. Conclusion Nearly one-third of the participants had good knowledge about infantile colic. More than one-third of the participants had previously received educational programs or awareness sessions about the management of colic symptoms in babies. More than half of the participants stated that postnatal maternal depression can occur as a result of infantile colic thereby psychological conflicts occur regarding the maternal role and inconsistent interaction styles with babies. Age, nationality, and marital status did not have a significant effect on the awareness level of the participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abeer M Anteet
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, SAU
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Hojsak I, Kolaček S, Mihatsch W, Mosca A, Shamir R, Szajewska H, Vandenplas Y. Synbiotics in the Management of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders: Position Paper of the ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023; 76:102-108. [PMID: 35900172 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synbiotics are a mixture comprising of live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively utilized by host microorganisms that confers a health benefit on the host. There is an increasing number of studies investigating their role in different diseases and disorders. AIM The purpose of this article is to provide recommendations for the use of synbiotics in the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. The recommendations are developed by the ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. METHODS From existing literature databases, we searched and appraised all systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses, and subsequently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the use of synbiotics, in all delivery vehicles and formulations, at any dose, compared to no synbiotics. Synbiotics which are part of infant formula were not assessed. The recommendations were formulated only if at least 2 RCTs that used a well-defined synbiotic were available. RESULTS Based on the currently available evidence, no recommendation can be formulated in favor or against the use of evaluated synbiotic combination in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis, prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and allergy in infants and children. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for more, well-designed RCTs on the role of synbiotics in gastrointestinal disorders with the same outcome measures to enable the inter-studies comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Hojsak
- From the Children's Hospital Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Kolaček
- From the Children's Hospital Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Walter Mihatsch
- the Department of Pediatrics Ulm University, Ulm, and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexis Mosca
- the Hôpital Robert Debré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raanan Shamir
- the Institute for Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Liver Diseases, Schneider Children's, Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hania Szajewska
- the Department of Paediatrics, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Yvan Vandenplas
- the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), UZ Brussel, Kidz Health Castle, Brussels, Belgium
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Bernatek M, Piątek J, Pszczola M, Krauss H, Antczak J, Maciukajć P, Sommermeyer H. Nine-Strain Bacterial Synbiotic Improves Crying and Lowers Fecal Calprotectin in Colicky Babies-An Open-Label Randomized Study. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020430. [PMID: 35208884 PMCID: PMC8875711 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04666324) was to determine the effects of a nine-strain synbiotic and simethicone on the duration of crying and the gut inflammation marker calprotectin in colicky babies aged 3-6 weeks, diagnosed using the Wessel criteria. The open-label study comprised a control group of non-colicky babies (n = 20) and two parallel treatment groups (each n = 50) to which colicky babies were randomly and equally assigned to receive the multi-strain synbiotic or simethicone orally for 28 days. Primary outcome measures were the change in daily crying duration and the level of fecal calprotectin on days 1 and 28 of the study. Administration of the synbiotic resulted in a rechange of crying duration of -7.18 min/day of treatment, while simethicone had a significantly smaller effect (-5.74 min/day). Fecal calprotectin levels in colicky babies were significantly elevated compared to those in non-colicky babies. Treatment with the nine-strain synbiotic resulted in a significant lowering of fecal calprotectin at the end of the study, while no such effect was found for simethicone. No adverse effects were reported. Study results confirm earlier findings of crying duration reductions in colicky babies by the synbiotic, an effect that might be linked to its anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Bernatek
- Department of Health Sciences, Calisia University, Nowy Swiat 4, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland; (M.B.); (H.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Jacek Piątek
- Department of Health Sciences, Calisia University, Nowy Swiat 4, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland; (M.B.); (H.K.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-883389788
| | - Marcin Pszczola
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 33, 60-637 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Hanna Krauss
- Department of Health Sciences, Calisia University, Nowy Swiat 4, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland; (M.B.); (H.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Janina Antczak
- State Hospital Jarocin, Szpitalna 1, 63-200 Jarocin, Poland;
| | - Paweł Maciukajć
- GP Clinic Brody, Stanisława Staszica 3, 27-230 Brody, Poland;
| | - Henning Sommermeyer
- Department of Health Sciences, Calisia University, Nowy Swiat 4, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland; (M.B.); (H.K.); (H.S.)
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Hizli S, Can D, Kiliç I, Örün E, Tunç T, Özkan H. Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches in Infantile Colic (IC): Results of a Survey Among Paediatricians in Turkey. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:779997. [PMID: 35004544 PMCID: PMC8734615 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.779997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: Due to limited knowledge on the etiopathogenesis of infantile colic (IC) and the insufficiency of data regarding current treatments, different approaches emerge in terms of diagnosis, and treatment modalities globally and also in Turkey. The objective of this study was to observe how infantile colic is diagnosed and treated by paediatricians in Turkey. Methods: An anonymous electronic questionnaire was used to collect the respondents' opinions. The study questionnaire was comprised of 4 different sections with 56 multiple-choice questions covering demographic features, diagnostic approach, treatment preferences and response to treatment. Results: A total of 375 paediatricians responded to the survey. Fifty three percent of the participants stated that they established the IC diagnosis based only on their clinical experience. Factors that most affected the decision to start treatment were identified as parent discomfort, decreased family quality of life, and crying duration (68, 66, and 54%, respectively). Application of soothing methods, probiotics, and simethicone were identified as the most frequently used treatment modalities (frequency ranking; 81, 76, and 50%, respectively). Of the participants, 98% stated that they used probiotic as supplements, on the other hand, 72% of the participants indicated that they used simethicone as the only medical treatment to treat IC. The question about the participants' observations regarding the response to probiotic treatment was answered by 71% of the participants with decreased crying duration, while easier stool/gas passage and resolved digestion problems were the other frequent observations (54 and 49%, respectively). The observations related to the response to simethicone treatment also included decreased crying duration in addition to decreased crying periods after feeding and easier gas/stool passage (67, 47, and 44%, respectively). Conclusions: Survey results revealed that the majority of the paediatricians used their clinical experience alone to establish the diagnosis of IC and preferred probiotic supplements and simethicone as the only medical treatment to treat IC and they observed clinical benefits from them. Insights generated by this study will be helpful to guide future efforts to improve the management of infantile colic by paediatricians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samil Hizli
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Demet Can
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Ilknur Kiliç
- Division of Neonatology, Ataşehir Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emel Örün
- Division of Social Pediatrics, Liv Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Turan Tunç
- Division of Neonatology, Ataşehir Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan Özkan
- Division of Neonatology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
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