Bacteria for your infant's colic?

Infantile colic is a difficult problem, vexing both to parents and physicians. The cause is thought to be excess intestinal gas. On the lines of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, new research indicates that probiotic bacteria help in kids with colic.

Probiotics or "good bacteria" that tend to maintain a healthy balance of good versus bad bacteria in the gut. They are being increasingly have been found to be useful for treatment of various illnesses, both gut and non-gut related.

Dr. Savino and colleagues from the University of Turin in Italy conducted a randomized placebo controlled trial to study the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri. Their findings were published in the journal Pediatrics (January 2007).

The study cohort consisted of 90 breast fed babies who were administered either the probiotic or the common over the counter anti-gas medication known as simethicone for 28 days. Mothers refrained from ingesting cow's milk in their diet. Baby crying times were assessed.

The daily median crying time at day 28 was 145 minutes/day in placebo group as compared to only 51 minutes/day in the probiotic group. 95% babies were termed as responders among the probiotic group in contrast to only 7% in the placebo group.

The mechanism of action of the probiotic in such conditions remains to be established. Possible mechanisms include immune-modulation and enhanced peristalsis thus affecting the balance of the gut flora and reduced triggers for abdominal pain.

Do you or someone close to have kids? Do any of them have colicky problems? What remedies have you tried for such episodes?