Colic is characterized by fussiness, irritability and excessive crying in a healthy newborn. Colic crying is intense and lasts for several hours at a time, so it can be distressing for parents and caregivers. While there is no definitive cause, colic is thought to originate from gastrointestinal discomfort. One new approach to soothing colicky babies is the use of probiotics, which promote a healthy intestinal flora.
Colic Defined
According to MayoClinic.com, colic is distinguished by crying more than three hours a day, three days a week, for more than three weeks in a healthy baby. Colic typically affects newborns in the first week after birth and can last up to four months. While not all babies experience colic, it is a normal condition that is not considered serious. The hardest problem with colic is the stress and anxiety experienced by those at home with the baby.
Colic Symptoms
Hallmark symptoms of colic include predictable crying episodes, inconsolable crying and posture changes. A colicky baby often cries at the same time every day, usually in the late afternoon or evening. These colic episodes begin suddenly and for no clear reason and last from a few minutes to three or more hours. Crying may be intense and high-pitched, and the baby may have a bowel movement or pass gas near the end of the episode. Curled up legs, clenched fists, tensed abdominal muscles and a flushed face are common during crying episodes. It is also virtually impossible to comfort or console a baby during these times.
Potential Cause
While the exact cause of colic is unknown, mounting evidence is that it may be related to the gut flora. ColicCalm.com reports that babies with colic have different gut flora patterns, which include a lack of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Some physicians believe that it is a combination of a baby's sensitive temperament, the environment and his immature nervous system that may make a child cry easily and without control. Other health care providers state that the problem originates in the baby's digestive system, specifically because of the buildup of gas that cannot be readily released.
Probiotics Defined
The Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine describes probiotics as living microorganisms, in most cases bacteria, that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. When probiotics are administered in adequate amounts, they confer a health benefit to the host. Most often, these "friendly bacteria" come from two groups -- Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium -- and within each group there are different species. Probiotics are primarily found in the form of dietary supplements and food products.
Treating Colic with Probiotics
According to MedPageToday.com, benefits of probiotic drops in infants may be related to the modification of the gut microbiota, particularly a reduction in Escherichia coli. MedPageToday.com reports that infants who received a strain of Lactobacillus cried significantly less each day after three weeks than those who received a placebo. Probiotics have been shown to improve the overall health of children as well as other conditions associated with colic, such as lactose intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis and gastric inflammation. These findings provide important insights into the role of bacterial flora in the pathogenesis of infant colic and the future potential to overcome this with probiotic supplementation.
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