The controversial role of food allergy in infantile colic: evidence and clinical management

Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula and Infant Colic Symptoms: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects 2% to 3% of infants and is managed with hypoallergenic formulas. The 2022 recalls of infant formulas due to factors including contamination led to specialty formula shortages, highlighting CMPA management challenges. Understanding health care providers' (HCPs) decision-making in transitioning to alternative formulas during shortages is crucial. Limited attention has been given to how pediatric physicians make these choices. This study utilized US HCPs' de-identified survey data to assess driving factors when switching extensively hydrolyzed formulas during shortages. A total of 104 eligible HCPs participated, including general pediatrics, pediatric allergy/immunology, and pediatric gastroenterology specialists. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy were identified as top factors for switching formulas. Formula 1 was considered well-tolerated, patient-accepted, and safe by all HCPs. Most expressed strong belief in Formula 1's safety and effectiveness. Findings inform CMPA management during shortages, offering guidance to HCPs for suitable formula selection and enhanced infant care.

Infant colic and abdominal pain; associations with infant multimorbidity and maternal perceived stress up to 3 months postpartum-A cross-sectional/cohort study in the PreventADALL study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary aim was to explore whether infants with pain symptoms (colic, abdominal pain and visit to healthcare provider with pain or other discomforts) had increased multimorbidity (common infections, eczema and food sensitivity) compared with infants without these conditions. Secondarily, we aimed to determine whether infant pain symptoms were associated with maternal perceived stress in pregnancy and 3 months postpartum.

BACKGROUND

Infant colic and abdominal pain are common concerns in early infancy. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, little research exists on the relationship between infant pain and common infant infections, eczema and food sensitization as comorbidities, and the impact of infant pain on the development of maternal perceived stress from pregnancy to infancy is inconsistent.

DESIGN

This study was cross-sectional and partly prospective.

METHODS

The sample consisted of mother-infant pairs (N = 1852); information regarding infant pain and multimorbidity was collected from the 3-month questionnaire and postpartum visits in the PreventADALL prospective cohort study. Chi-square tests and regression analyses were conducted. The STROBE checklist was followed.

RESULTS

Our results showed a statistically significant higher proportion of respiratory and other infections in infants with pain symptoms. The odds of infant pain were higher for infants with multimorbidity compared to those with no comorbidity. Mothers of infants with colic and of infants visiting healthcare with pain and other discomforts reported statistically significant higher perceived stress by 3 months compared with mothers of infants with no reported pain.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate an association between infant pain symptoms and the presence of infections. Mothers of infants with colic and visiting healthcare had higher perceived stress compared to the no pain group.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Our study indicates that infant pain is associated with infant multimorbidity and maternal perceived stress, which may be useful when planning diagnostic, treatment and coping strategies in infant and family care.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The PreventADALL is a collaborative study with governmental and patient organisation representation. Selected infants with parents were also contributing during calibrating courses on eczema assessment for the data collectors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was approved by the Regional Committee in Norway (2014/518) and Sweden (2014/2242-31/4) and registered at clinicaltrial.gov (NCT02449850). Link for clinical trials: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02449850.

A New Perspective on the Pathogenesis of Infantile Colic: Is Infantile Colic a Biorhythm Disorder?

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the relationship between infantile colic, migraine, and biorhythm regulation, by evaluating biochemical and molecular parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

Healthy infants with and without infantile colic were eligible for this prospective cohort study. A questionnaire was applied. Between the 6th and 8th postnatal weeks, day and night circadian histone gene H3f3b mRNA expression and spot urine excretion of serotonin, cortisol, and 6-sulphatoxymelatonin were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 95 infants included, 49 were diagnosed with infantile colic. In the colic group, defecation difficulty, sensitivity to light/sound, and maternal migraine frequency increased and sleep disruption was typical. In the melatonin analysis, the difference between day and night levels was significant in the control group, indicating an established circadian rhythm ( P = 0.014). In the colic group, there was no day-night difference ( P = 0.216) in melatonin, but serotonin levels were higher at night. In the cortisol analysis, day-night values were similar in both groups. Day-night variability of H3f3b mRNA levels between the groups was significant, indicating circadian rhythm disturbance in the colic group compared to the control group ( P = 0.003). Fluctuations in circadian genes and hormones expected in healthy rhythm were revealed in the control group, but were missing in the colic group.

CONCLUSION

Due to the gaps in the etipathogenesis in infantile colic, a unique effective agent has not been discovered so far. This study, which demonstrated for the first time that infantile colic is a biorhythm disorder using molecular methods, fills the gap in this regard and points to a completely different perspective in terms of treatment.

Electrochemical Methods for the Analysis of Milk

The milk and dairy industries are some of the most profitable sectors in many countries. This business requires close control of product quality and continuous testing to ensure the safety of the consumers. The potential risk of contaminants or degradation products and undesirable chemicals necessitates the use of fast, reliable detection tools to make immediate production decisions. This review covers studies on the application of electrochemical methods to milk (i.e., voltammetric and amperometric) to quantify different analytes, as reported over the last 10 to 15 years. The review covers a wide range of analytes, including allergens, antioxidants, organic compounds, nitrogen- and aldehyde containing compounds, biochemicals, heavy metals, hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and endocrine disruptors. The review also examines pretreatment procedures applied to milk samples and the use of novel sensor materials. Final perspectives are provided on the future of cost-effective and easy-to-use electrochemical sensors and their advantages over conventional methods.

Prevalence and perinatal risk factors of parent-reported colic, abdominal pain and other pain or discomforts in infants until 3 months of age - A prospective cohort study in PreventADALL

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and perinatal risk factors associated with parent reported colic, abdominal pain and pain or other discomforts in infants until 3 months of age.

BACKGROUND

Infant colic is a common concern for parents and clinicians. The prevalence varies in different studies and its symptoms overlap with other conditions like abdominal pain and discomfort. Diagnosis criteria are challenging, pathogenesis unclear and risk factors are conflicting.

DESIGN

This was a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

The 1852 mother-child pairs from the PreventADALL prospective birth-cohort answering the 3 months questionnaire were included. Information on perinatal risk factors was collected from the inclusion visit and questionnaires during pregnancy at 18 and 34 weeks, as well as birth charts. STROBE checklist was followed.

RESULTS

The reported prevalence of colic was 3% (59/1852), abdominal pain 22% (415/1852) and pain or other discomfort 6% (119/1852), with a total of 26% (478/1852) infants. Mothers on sick leave in pregnancy and reporting any allergic diseases had a significantly higher odds of reporting infant colic, abdominal pain and pain or other discomforts. Mothers with higher perceived stress in pregnancy exhibited a trend towards higher odds for reporting infant pain. Mothers coming from Sweden were less likely to report infant abdominal pain compared to mothers from Norway.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of abdominal pain and pain or other discomforts was higher than the prevalence of colic. Perinatal risk factors connected to maternal health were associated with all three symptoms.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Colic and abdominal pain are stressful, symptoms overlap and risk factors for both can be identified in pregnancy. Our study suggests that it is difficult for parents to distinguish among infant colic, abdominal pain and other pain or discomfort and some report two or all three symptoms. Identifying the perinatal risk factors associated with infant pain may help target and support parents.

Hydrolysed Formulas in the Management of Cow's Milk Allergy: New Insights, Pitfalls and Tips

An allergy to cow's milk requires the avoidance of cow's milk proteins and, in some infants, the use of a hypoallergenic formula. This review aims to summarize the current evidence concerning different types of hydrolysed formulas (HF), and recommendations for the treatment of IgE- and non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy and functional gastrointestinal disorders in infancy, for which some dietary intervention and HF may be of benefit to both immune and motor mechanisms. Current guidelines recommend cow's milk protein (i.e., whey or casein) extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF) as the first choice for cow's milk allergy treatment, and amino acid formulas for more severe cases or those with reactions to eHF. Rice hydrolysed formulas (rHF) have also become available in recent years. Both eHF and rHF are well tolerated by the majority of children allergic to cow's milk, with no concerns regarding body growth or adverse effects. Some hydrolysates may have a pro-active effect in modulating the immune system due to the presence of small peptides and additional components, like biotics. Despite encouraging results on tolerance acquisition, evidence is still not conclusive, thus hampering our ability to draw firm conclusions. In clinical practice, the choice of hypoallergenic formula should be based on the infant's age, the severity, frequency and persistence of symptoms, immune phenotype, growth pattern, formula cost, and in vivo proof of tolerance and efficacy.

Cow's Milk Allergy or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Can We Solve the Dilemma in Infants?

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may manifest with similar symptoms in infants making the diagnosis challenging. While immediate reaction to cow's milk protein indicate CMA, regurgitation, vomiting, crying, fussiness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances have been reported in both CMA and GERD and in other conditions such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, anatomic abnormalities, metabolic and neurological diseases. Gastrointestinal manifestations of CMA are often non-IgE mediated and clinical response to cow's milk free diet is not a proof of immune system involvement. Neither for non-IgE CMA nor for GERD there is a specific symptom or diagnostic test. Oral food challenge, esophageal pH impedance and endoscopy are recommended investigations for a correct clinical classification but they are not always feasible in all infants. As a consequence of the diagnostic difficulty, both over- and under- diagnosis of CMA or GERD may occur. Quite frequently acid inhibitors are empirically started. The aim of this review is to critically update the current knowledge of both conditions during infancy. A practical stepwise approach is proposed to help health care providers to manage infants presenting with persistent regurgitation, vomiting, crying or distress and to solve the clinical dilemma between GERD or CMA.

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment vs. Non-colicky Babies

Background: To date, after 65 years of research that was primarily directed at differentiating between normal and colicky crying, the cause of infantile colic remains elusive and no definitive cure has been found. Given the general absence of pathology, colicky crying is widely considered the extreme end of a spectrum of normal crying behavior. However, evidence gleaned from scattered sources throughout the literature suggests that infantile colic may be the behavioral expression of physiological brainstem dysregulation, particularly of the vestibular and autonomic systems. The purpose of this study is to present a five-point clinical index of vestibular (hyper) activity and its application to investigate vestibular dysregulation in colicky and non-colicky babies. Methods: One hundred and twenty consecutive colicky babies were evaluated using this index, before and after a very gentle vibratory treatment, and compared to 117 non-colicky babies. Results: Before treatment, of 120 colicky babies only 2 (1.7%) scored 0, whereas 118 (98.3%) scored 1-5. Of 117 non-colicky babies 89 (76.1%) scored 0 and 28 (23.9%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. The odds ratio is OR (CI 95%) 187.54 (43.52-808.09). After treatment 111 (92.5%) scored 0 and 9 (7.5%) scored 1-3, none scored 4-5. A McNemar test showed the difference before and after to be significant (χ² = 109.00, p < 0.001). For colicky babies the mean vestibular score is 2.88 (SD 1.22), compared to 0.37 (SD 0.73) for non-colicky babies, a difference of 87.2%. After treatment the score decreased from 2.88 (SD 1.12) to 0.10 (SD 0.40), or 96.5%. Conclusion: Colicky babies are not just infants who cry a lot. They also show clinical evidence of vestibular dysregulation. Treatment aimed at relaxing tight sub-occipital musculature by means of gentle vibrational stimulation may be effective in decreasing vestibular hyperactivity, signifying an improvement in brainstem regulation. The vestibular index opens the prospect for development into a tool toward an objective and practical clinical diagnosis of infantile colic.

An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Gold-Nanocluster-Modified Graphene Screen-Printed Electrodes for the Detection of β-Lactoglobulin in Milk

A simple and low-cost electrochemical sensor based on multimodified screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) was successfully synthesized for the sensitive detection of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg). The surface treatment of SPEs was accomplished by a simple drip coating method using polyethyleneimine (PEI), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), and the treated SPEs showed excellent electrical conductivity. The modified SPEs were then characterized with UV-Vis, SEM, TEM, and FTIR to analyze the morphology and composition of the AuNCs and the rGO. An anti-β-Lg antibody was then immobilized on the composite material obtained by modifying rGO with PEI and AuNCs (PEI-rGO-AuNCs), leading to the remarkable reduction in conductivity of the SPEs due to the reaction between antigen and antibody. The sensor obtained using this novel approach enabled a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.08 ng/mL and a detection range from 0.01 to 100 ng/mL for β-Lg. Furthermore, pure milk samples from four milk brands were measured using electrochemical sensors, and the results were in excellent agreement with those from commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.

Non-IgE-Mediated Gastrointestinal Food Allergies in Children: An Update

Non-immunoglobulin E-mediated gastrointestinal food allergic disorders (non-IgE-GI-FA) include food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), food protein-induced enteropathy (FPE) and food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP), which present with symptoms of variable severity, affecting the gastrointestinal tract in response to specific dietary antigens. The diagnosis of non-IgE-GI-FA is made clinically, and relies on a constellation of typical symptoms that improve upon removal of the culprit food. When possible, food reintroduction should be attempted, with the documentation of symptoms relapse to establish a conclusive diagnosis. Management includes dietary avoidance, nutritional counselling, and supportive measures in the case of accidental exposure. The prognosis is generally favorable, with the majority of cases resolved before school age. Serial follow-up to establish whether the acquisition of tolerance has occurred is therefore essential in order to avoid unnecessary food restriction and potential consequent nutritional deficiencies. The purpose of this review is to delineate the distinctive clinical features of non-IgE-mediated food allergies presenting with gastrointestinal symptomatology, to summarize our current understanding of the pathogenesis driving these diseases, to discuss recent findings, and to address currents gaps in the knowledge, to guide future management opportunities.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) for the Management of Infantile Colic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 together with the maternal diet avoidance of cow’s milk in treating infantile colic. Methods: Forty-five colicky breastfed infants were consecutively randomized to receive L. rhamnosus for 28 days at a dosage of 5 × 10⁹ cfu per day or placebo. Faecal samples were collected from each subject before starting supplementation and at the end of the study period and were immediately analysed. Faecal calprotectin was detected via a quantitative assay. The total bacterial load and selected bacterial species were evaluated using real-time TaqMan PCR. Results: After supplementation for 28 days with Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, median full-force daily crying was reduced (104 versus 242 min, p < 0.001) and the values of faecal calprotectin decreased significantly (p = 0.026). Furthermore, the probiotic increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (p = 0.048) and total bacteria (p = 0.040); all these effects were not observed in the placebo group. Conclusion: Infants treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 for 28 days, in association with the elimination of cow’s milk from the maternal diet, presented some interesting features related to the effect of this probiotic treatment: reductions in crying time and faecal calprotectin, with increased total bacteria and Lactobacillus. To validate these results, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on a larger cohort is required.

A free amino acid-based diet partially prevents symptoms of cow's milk allergy in mice after oral sensitization with whey

BACKGROUND

Amino acid-based formulas (AAFs) are used for the dietary management of cow's milk allergy (CMA). Whether AAFs have the potential to prevent the development and/or symptoms of CMA is not known.

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated the preventive effects of an amino acid (AA)-based diet on allergic sensitization and symptoms of CMA in mice and aimed to provide insight into the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

C3H/HeOuJ mice were sensitized with whey protein or with phosphate-buffered saline as sham-sensitized control. Starting 2 weeks before sensitization, mice were fed with either a protein-based diet or an AA-based diet with an AA composition based on that of the AAF Neocate, a commercially available AAF prescribed for the dietary management of CMA. Upon challenge, allergic symptoms, mast cell degranulation, whey-specific immunoglobulin levels, and FoxP3+ cell counts in jejunum sections were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared to mice fed with the protein-based diet, AA-fed mice had significantly lower acute allergic skin responses. Moreover, the AA-based diet prevented the whey-induced symptoms of anaphylaxis and drop in body temperature. Whereas the AA-based diet had no effect on the levels of serum IgE and mucosal mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1), AA-fed mice had significantly lower serum IgG2a levels and tended to have lower IgG1 levels (P = .076). In addition, the AA-based diet prevented the whey-induced decrease in FoxP3+ cells. In sham-sensitized mice, no differences between the two diets were observed in any of the tested parameters.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that an AA-based diet can at least partially prevent allergic symptoms of CMA in mice. Differences in FoxP3+ cell counts and serum levels of IgG2a and IgG1 may suggest enhanced anti-inflammatory and tolerizing capacities in AA-fed mice. This, combined with the absence of effects in sham-sensitized mice indicates that AAFs for the prevention of food allergies may be an interesting concept that warrants further research.

Diagnosis and management of Non-IgE gastrointestinal allergies in breastfed infants-An EAACI Position Paper

It is well-established that food proteins, such as egg, soya, cow's milk and wheat, are detectable in breastmilk for many hours or days after ingestion. Exposure to these proteins is important to the process of developing tolerance but can also sometimes elicit IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated allergic symptoms in breastfed infants. Non-IgE-mediated allergy, outside of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis and eosinophilic oesophagitis, is not well understood, leading to variations in the diagnosis and management thereof. A primary objective of the European Academy for Allergy and Clinical Immunology is to support breastfeeding in all infants, including those with food allergies. A Task Force was established, to explore the clinical spectrum of non-IgE-mediated allergies, and part of its objectives was to establish diagnosis and management of non-IgE-mediated allergies in breastfed infants. Eight questions were formulated using the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) system and Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) criteria for data inclusion, and consensus was achieved on practice points through the Delphi method. This publication aims to provide a comprehensive overview on this topic with practice points for healthcare professionals.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infancy: Impact on the Health of the Infant and Family

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) such as infantile colic, constipation and colic occur in almost half of the infants. The aim of this paper is to provide a critical and updated review on the management of FGIDs and their impact on the health of the infant and family to health care physicians. Guidelines and expert recommendations were reviewed. FGIDs are a frequent cause of parental concern, impairment in quality of life of infants and relatives, and impose a financial burden to families, health care, and insurance. Therefore, primary management of the FGIDs should be focused on improving the infants' symptoms and quality of life of the family. If more than parental reassurance is needed, available evidence recommends nutritional advice as it is an effective strategy and most of the time devoid of adverse effects. The role of healthcare providers in reassuring parents and proposing the correct behavior and nutritional intervention by avoiding inappropriate use of medication, is essential in the management of FGIDs.

Acupuncture for Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

Infantile colic is a common condition causing considerable deterioration in the quality of life of both infants and their parents. Minimal acupuncture, a gentle needling technique without strong muscle stimulation, has primarily been used to treat this condition, but the clinical evidence of its efficacy and safety is yet to be established. The objective of this review was to assess clinical evidence of the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for infantile colic.

METHODS

To identify studies for inclusion, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System were searched until January 2017. Only randomised controlled trials of infantile colic in patients aged 0 to 25 weeks, who were treated with acupuncture, were included. To assess the quality, the risk of bias was determined for each study by two authors. The intention was to perform a meta-analysis, but this was not possible in this study due to considerable clinical heterogeneity among the included studies.

RESULTS

Of the 601 studies identified, only four randomized controlled trials were included in this review. All included studies were conducted in northern European countries. Most studies showed a low risk of bias in most domains. Minimal acupuncture on LI4 or ST36 without strong stimulation was used in all studies. From the narrative analysis, acupuncture appears to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of colic, including crying and feeding and stooling problems, and may have only minor adverse effects. However, clinical evidence could not be confirmed owing to considerable clinical heterogeneity and the small sample sizes of the included studies.

CONCLUSION

There is currently no conclusive evidence on the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for infantile colic. Rigorous full-scale randomized controlled trials will be necessary in future.

Review shows that parental reassurance and nutritional advice help to optimise the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants

AIM

Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation are common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) during infancy. Our aim was to carry out a concise review of the literature, evaluate the impact of these common FGIDs on infants and their families, and provide an overview of national and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on their management.

METHODS

National and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on the management of regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation were examined and summarised.

RESULTS

Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation cause frequent parental concerns, lead to heavy personal and economic costs for families and impose a financial burden on public healthcare systems. Guidelines emphasise that the first-line management of these common FGIDs should focus on parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice. Nutritional advice should stress the benefits of continuing breastfeeding, while special infant formulas may be considered for non-breastfed infants with common FGIDs. Drug treatment is seldom required, with the exception of functional constipation.

CONCLUSION

By providing complete and updated parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice, healthcare professionals can optimise the management of FGIDs and related symptoms and reduce the inappropriate use of medication or dietary interventions.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pediatricians on infantile colic in the Middle East and North Africa region

Background

Regional evidence-based guidelines for the prophylaxis and management of infantile colic are not available for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Allied Against Infantile Functional GI Disorders (ACT) Working Group was created in January, 2015 to determine the knowledge gaps and the current management practices of infantile colic by physicians in the MENA region. The ACT group determined the need for a survey to address these questions. The objectives of the survey were to highlight current clinical practices on the management of infantile colic and to raise awareness on colic severity in the MENA region.

Methods

The ACT working group developed the survey which included respondent characteristics and closed questions on practice in colic prevention. The survey was subject to validation and ethics committee approval in all countries.

Results

A total of 1628 physicians (mostly pediatricians (75.4%), neonatologists (2.4%) and general practitioners (19.8%)) responded to the survey. The 5 most represented countries were KSA (27.9%), Kuwait (22.1%), Morocco (13.8%), Lebanon (10.6%), and Iraq (7.4%). Most of the respondents (77.8%) practiced in governmental settings. A majority of respondents (91.7%) reported that colic is diagnosed predominantly by clinical examination. Above 63%, of pediatricians surveyed, believed that the colic prevalence rate was >40%, which is greater than the 20% rate reported in worldwide surveys. Yet, most of the responding physicians (73%) prefer to simply reassure parents rather than prescribe a therapeutic agent. Most physicians were either neutral (58%) or did not endorse (18.4%) colic prophylaxis. Of those who prescribed formulae for non-breastfed children, a majority (64.3%) chose “Comfort” formulae over hydrolyzed or lactose-free formulae or formulae with probiotics.

Conclusions

The results of this survey suggest that a substantial proportion of responding physicians from the selected MENA countries do not advocate for prophylaxis of colic. The findings of this survey suggest that more educational efforts are required to increase awareness of the strong body of evidence supporting the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention and management of infantile colic.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12887-017-0939-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prognostic accuracy of clinical signs and diagnostic tests in cow's milk allergy in newborns

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to explore the correlation between clinical signs and confirmatory tests for cow's milk allergy (CMA) in the neonatal period and their relation to family history and the occurrence of food allergies in the postneonatal period.

METHODS

The medical documentation of 361 newborns with suspected CMA and exclusion of other comorbidities was analyzed. The correlations between clinical signs and methods to confirm CMA [elevated levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and/or specific IgE for cow's milk, improvement after the introduction of a cow's milk-free diet and positive challenge procedure] were studied. In 90 children, the data were additionally analyzed in relation to outcome (at the age of 1-11 years), evaluated by questionnaires, which inquired about signs and symptoms of food allergy, methods of CMA confirmation, and the presence of other food allergies.

RESULTS

There was a positive correlation between exanthema and confirmed CMA in the neonatal period (R = 0.184; p = <0.001; n = 361), and hematochezia and confirmed CMA in the neonatal (R = 0.203; p < 0.001; n = 361) and postneonatal period (R = 0.215; p = 0.042; n = 90). Additional food allergies in the postneonatal period were positively correlated with neonatal CMA (R = 0.275; p = 0.009; n = 90). No correlation was found between a positive family history of food allergies and CMA in the neonatal (R = -0.66; p = 0.398; n = 165) and postneonatal periods (R = 0.00; p = 1.000; n = 116).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal exanthema and hematochezia were the predominant clinical signs in neonates with CMA. Allergies to other food allergens appeared more frequently in children with CMA in the neonatal period. Neonatal CMA did not occur more frequently in families with food allergies.

Comparison of formula-fed infants with and without colic revealed significant differences in total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and faecal ammonia

AIM

This study compared the faecal microbial composition of formula-fed infants who did and did not have colic.

METHODS

Faecal samples from formula-fed infants under 16 weeks of age with (n = 38) and without (n = 39) colic were collected at Department of Pediatrics in Turin, Italy, between February 2014 and October 2015. The pH and faecal ammonia were determined and total bacteria, bifidobacteria, lactic acid bacteria and coliforms were quantified by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH).

RESULTS

Faecal ammonia was significantly higher in the colicky infants than in the controls (483 vs. 216 μg/g, p < 0.05). The FISH counts of total bacteria were lower in colicky infants (1.8E10 ± 1.5E10) than in the controls (3.4E10 ± 3.0E10) (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of coliform bacteria was significantly higher in colicky infants (p < 0.05). No differences were observed for the bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria counts between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Our comparison of formula-fed infants with and without colic revealed significant differences in total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and faecal ammonia. This study provides the stimulus for further studies of the gut microbiome, using new methods of analysis such as 16S metagenomics sequencing in order to lead to more tailored dietary approaches.

Pain-relieving agents for infantile colic

BACKGROUND

Infantile colic is a common disorder in the first months of life, affecting somewhere between 4% and 28% of infants worldwide, depending on geography and definitions used. Although it is self limiting and resolves by four months of age, colic is perceived by parents as a problem that requires action. Pain-relieving agents, such as drugs, sugars and herbal remedies, have been suggested as interventions to reduce crying episodes and severity of symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of pain-relieving agents for reducing colic in infants younger than four months of age.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases in March 2015 and again in May 2016: CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO, along with 11 other databases. We also searched two trial registers, four thesis repositories and the reference lists of relevant studies to identify unpublished and ongoing studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs evaluating the effects of pain-relieving agents given to infants with colic.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used the standard methodological procedures of The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 18 RCTs involving 1014 infants. All studies were small and at high risk of bias, often presenting major shortcomings across multiple design factors (e.g. selection, performance, attrition, lack of washout period).Three studies compared simethicone with placebo, and one with Mentha piperita; four studies compared herbal agents with placebo; two compared sucrose or glucose with placebo; five compared dicyclomine with placebo; and two compared cimetropium - one against placebo and the other at two different dosages. One multiple-arm study compared sucrose and herbal tea versus no treatment. Simethicone. Comparison with placebo revealed no difference in daily hours of crying reported for simethicone at the end of treatment in one small, low-quality study involving 27 infants. A meta-analysis of data from two cross-over studies comparing simethicone with placebo showed no difference in the number of of infants who responded positively to treatment (risk ratio (RR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.23; 110 infants, low-quality evidence).One small study (30 participants) compared simethicone with Mentha piperita and found no difference in crying duration, number of crying episodes or number of responders. Herbal agents. We found low-quality evidence suggesting that herbal agents reduce the duration of crying compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 1.33, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.96; three studies, 279 infants), with different magnitude of benefit noted across studies (I² = 96%). We found moderate-quality evidence indicating that herbal agents increase response over placebo (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.70; three studies, 277 infants). Sucrose. One very low-quality study involving 35 infants reported that sucrose reduced hours spent crying compared with placebo (MD 1.72, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.06). Dicyclomine. We could consider only one of the five studies of dicyclomine (48 infants) for the primary comparison. In this study, more of the infants given dicyclomine responded than than those given placebo (RR 2.50, 95% CI 1.17 to 5.34). Cimetropium bromide. Data from one very low-quality study comparing cimetropium bromide with placebo showed reduced crying duration among infants treated with cimetropium bromide (MD -30.20 minutes per crisis, 95% CI -39.51 to -20.89; 86 infants). The same study reported that cimetropium increased the number of responders (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.64).No serious adverse events were reported for all of the agents considered, with the exception of dicyclomine, for which two of five studies reported relevant adverse effects (longer sleep 4%, wide-eyed state 4%, drowsiness 13%).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

At the present time, evidence of the effectiveness of pain-relieving agents for the treatment of infantile colic is sparse and prone to bias. The few available studies included small sample sizes, and most had serious limitations. Benefits, when reported, were inconsistent.We found no evidence to support the use of simethicone as a pain-relieving agent for infantile colic.Available evidence shows that herbal agents, sugar, dicyclomine and cimetropium bromide cannot be recommended for infants with colic.Investigators must conduct RCTs using standardised measures that allow comparisons among pain-relieving agents and pooling of results across studies. Parents, who most often provide the intervention and assess the outcome, should always be blinded.

Longitudinal pattern of multiplexed immunoglobulin E sensitization from prenatal stage to the first year of life

BACKGROUND

The longitudinal pattern of allergen-specific IgE levels from the prenatal stage to early life has remained largely unexplored.

METHODS

One-hundred and three mother-infant pairs, which were part of an ongoing population-based prospective birth cohort study of early childhood allergic diseases in Tainan, Taiwan, were included in this study. We examined the relationship of 20 allergen-specific IgE levels with blood samples of mothers, cord blood, and infants at 12 months of age using Spearman rank correlation, Kenal τ and McNemar test, respectively.

RESULTS

Certain degree of IgE sensitization against most 20 examined specific allergens was observed in blood samples of mothers, cord blood, and infants at 12 months of age. When we further examined the association between allergy-related risk factors and atopy in infants at the first year of life, we found positive association between colic pain and atopy in infants at 12 months of age [adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 3.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-10.96; p = 0.03], and borderline significance between wheezing and atopy in infants at 12 months of age (AOR = 4.58; 95% CI: 0.89-23.50; p = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study suggest that influence of maternal allergen-specific IgE levels on infant immune response might occur at birth and then wane in infants at 12 months of age. Positive association of colic pain and wheezing with atopy in infants at 12 months of age provides supportive evidence for the 'Allergy March' theory of allergy development in an Asian birth cohort.

Canadian Consensus on Female Nutrition: Adolescence, Reproduction, Menopause, and Beyond

OBJECTIVES

To provide health care professionals in Canada with the basic knowledge and tools to provide nutrition guidance to women through their lifecycle.

OUTCOMES

Optimal nutrition through the female lifecycle was evaluated, with specific focus on adolescence, pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and beyond. The guideline begins with an overview of guidance for all women, followed by chapters that examine the evidence and provide recommendations for the promotion of healthy nutrition and body weight at each life stage. Nutrients of special concern and other considerations unique to each life stage are discussed in each chapter.

EVIDENCE

Published literature, governmental and health agency reports, clinical practice guidelines, grey literature, and textbook sources were used in supporting the recommendations made in this document.

VALUES

The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. CHAPTER 2: GENERAL FEMALE NUTRITION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 3: ADOLESCENCE NUTRITION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 4: PRE-CONCEPTUAL NUTRITION: Summary Statement Recommendations CHAPTER 5: NUTRITION IN PREGNANCY: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 6: POSTPARTUM NUTRITION AND LACTATION: Summary Statements Recommendations CHAPTER 7: NUTRITION DURING MENOPAUSE AND BEYOND: Summary Statement Recommendations.