Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 2 — RCT / large cohortPeer-reviewed

Lactobacillus reuteri for Infants with Colic: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

Nicole Y. Fatheree, Yuying Liu, Christopher M. Taylor, Thomas K. Hoang, Chunyan Cai, Mohammad H. Rahbar, Manouchehr Hessabi, Michael J. Ferris, Valarie McMurtry, Christine Wong, Ta Vu, Theresa Dancsak, Ting Wang, Wallace A. Gleason, Vinay Bandla, Fernando A. Navarro, Dat Q. Tran, J. Marc Rhoads

The Journal of Pediatrics · 2017

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Summary

This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial examined whether oral Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation reduces colic symptoms in infants. The trial, conducted in the United States with a large multicentre sample, provides evidence on the efficacy and safety of probiotic intervention in early infant health. The findings contribute to understanding of the role of gut microbiota modulation in alleviating infantile colic.

UK applicability

The findings are directly relevant to UK paediatric and primary care practice, where infantile colic remains a common concern. Results may inform guidance for healthcare providers counselling parents on probiotic supplementation as a potential intervention, though local regulatory and prescribing frameworks differ.

Key measures

Daily crying duration (minutes); colic symptom severity; parental stress and sleep quality; adverse event monitoring

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated the efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation in reducing colic symptoms and crying duration in infants aged 2–16 weeks. Outcomes measured included changes in daily crying time, parental quality of life, and adverse events.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Gut microbiome & human health
Study type
Research
Study design
RCT
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.07.036
Catalogue ID
SNmojolia6-jtj13l

Topic tags

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