Lactobacillus Reuteri Protectis Shown to Reduce Colic in Infants

The study was done by Hania Szajewska who is Professor and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland.

18 Sep 2012 --- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 80 colicky infants showed that the crying time was significantly reduced among the infants supplemented by drops with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis compared to those in the placebo group. The quality of life for the parents and families were also significantly improved in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. The study was done by Hania Szajewska who is Professor and Chair of the Department of Paediatrics at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland. She is one of the most well reputed experts in probiotics in the world and has conducted numerous clinical trials.

The significant reduction in crying time confirm earlier studies with Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis in infants with colic, but further, and for the first time, the parents perception of the baby’s colic and the quality of life of the parents and the family have been measured. These parameters showed highly significant improvements in the probiotic group as compared to the placebo group. The new study also included colic diagnosed infants that were partially fed with formula, extending the findings of earlier studies, which were performed in exclusively breast-fed infants.

The study was performed according to the highest standards of clinical trial reporting (CONSORT). It was published in The Journal of Pediatrics on 14 September 2012.

“This is the third independent study with Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis in infants and the effectiveness of our product in reducing symptoms of colic is now very clear. This new and strong data further strengthens the position of Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis within the paediatric field”, says Peter Rothschild, President, BioGaia.

Colic a common and frustrating problem

Colic refers to a clinical condition of inconsolable crying, fussing and irritability, most often in the evenings, in an otherwise healthy baby during the first four months of life, typically peaking at approximately six weeks of life. According to the diagnostic criteria, a child has infant colic if it has unexplained episodes of fussing and crying for at least three hours a day for three days a week or more for at least one week. Up to 26% of infants are diagnosed with colic, making the condition one of the most frequent reasons for visits to paediatricians, family practitioners and community nurses.

Lactobacillus reuteri – a well researched probiotic

Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the world's most well researched probiotics, especially in young children. To date 92 clinical studies using BioGaia's human strains of Lactobacillus reuteri have been performed in more than 7,700 individuals of all ages. Half of the studies have been performed in premature babies, infants and children. Results are published in 62 articles in scientific journals (September 2012).