Infant & Paediatric
Infantile Colic
Infantile colic is a common condition, though poorly understood and often frustrating for parents and caregivers. According to the Rome III diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders, a child has infantile colic if unexplained episodes of paroxysmal fussing or crying for at least three hours a day, for three days a week or more, for at least one week, and no failure to thrive. This type of crying typically peaks at approximately six weeks of life and ends around the fourth month. As many as 26% of infants are diagnosed with colic, making the condition one of the most frequent reasons for visits to family practitioners.
Colic May Affect Gastrointestinal Health Later In Life
In the last decade, the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota has come into focus. Lower counts of intestinal lactobacilli as well as increased concentrations of coliform bacteria have been observed in colicky infants compared to non- colicky ones. It has also been shown that colic in infancy is linked to an increased susceptibility to recurrent abdominal pain, allergic diseases, and psychological disorders later in childhood.
L. reuteri The Only Probiotic With Scientific Evidence In Infantile Colic
The possibilities to treat colic have been limited. Simethicone has been widely used in many countries but clinical research has shown that it is no more effective than placebo. However, three independant studies with L. reuteri have shown a reduction in crying time in colicky infants. This makes L. reuteri the only probiotic with a proven efficacy in infantile colic.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Infantile Colic
L. reuteri Reduced Excessive Crying and Improved Quality Of Life
The significant effect of L. reuteri was seen as early as one week after initiated supplementation and persisted to the end of the study. Daily crying time was reduced by more than one hour at day 28 compared to placebo. Family quality of life was significantly improved. (Szajewska H et al. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for the Management of Infantile Colic in Breastfeed Infants: A. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J. Pediatr. 2013; 162:257-262.
L. reuteri Reduced Crying Time In Colicky Infants By 74% After One Week
The effect was seen as early as one week after supplementation. Daily crying time was reduced by 1 1⁄2 hours on average compared to placebo. (Savino F et al. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for the Management of Infantile Colic in Breastfeed Infants: A. Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Pediatrics 2010; 126;e526-e533.)
L. reuteri Reduced Crying Time In 95% Of Infants With Colic
The effect was seen as early as one week after supplementation. L. reuteri were superior to the currently most prescribed treatment simethicone in reducing daily crying time. L. reuteri reduced crying time by more than twice as much as simethicone. (Savino F et al. Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 versus Simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic a prospective randomized study. Pediatrics 2007.)
Regurgitation
Probiotics In The Management Of Regurgitation.
Regurgitation is defined as the passage of refluxed gastric content into the pharynx or mouth, sometimes with expulsion out of the mouth. Improved feeding tolerance and gut function in healthy preterm infants. A growing body of research in recent years shows a connection between the intestinal microbiota and diet for health and disease.
Today there are strong indications that diet can influence the number of microbial species in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, supplementation of probiotics is an attractive alternative and the clinical evidence for this is growing.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Regurgitation
L. reuteri Significantly Increase Gastric Emptying
L. reuteri has in both term and preterm infants been shown to significantly increase gastric emptying and thereby decrease regurgitation. Twice as fast gastric emptying rate in L. reuteri group compared to placebo. L. reuteri reduced the number of regurgitations to half as much as placebo. (Indrio F et al. The effects of probiotics on feeding tolerance, bowel habits and gastrointestinal mortality in preterm newborns. J Pediatr 2008;152:801-806)
80% Reduction In Daily Regurgitations With L. reuteri
L. reuteri significantly increased gastric emptying rate compared to placebo. As a result, the number of regurgitation was significantly reduced among supplemented infants (Indrio F et al. Lactobacillus reuteri accelerates gastric emptying and improves regurgitation in infants)
Constipation
Constipation is a common and distressing problem all over the world. Approximately 40% of children with functional constipation develop symptoms during their first year. The problems often start when changing from breast milk to formula or with the introduction of solid food. Other frequent starting periods are during toilet training between two and four years of age, or when the child starts school.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Constipation
100% Normalisation Of Stool Frequency In Infants With Chronic Constipation
Significant improvement of bowel movements with L. reuteri. 91% of infants normalised their stool frequency within 2 weeks and 100% within 4 weeks (Coccorullo P et al. Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Pediatrics 2010;157:598-602.)
Functional Abdominal Pain
Long lasting intermittent or constant abdominal pain without evidence of an organic cause is defined as functional abdominal pain and affects 10–20 % of all school-aged children. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed medical problems in paediatrics.
(Weizman Z , Asli G, ALsheikh A. Effect of a probiotic infant formula on infections in child care centers: comparison of two probiotic agents. Pediatrics. 2005;115:5-9)
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Functional Abdominal Pain
Reduced Pain Intensity in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain
Reduction of pain intensity with L. reuteri persisted during the follow-up period of four weeks. Frequency of pain was significantly reduced in both groups. (Romano C et al. J Paediatrics and Child Health 2010. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2010.01797)
Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) manifests in an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the stomach lining as well as that of the small intestine. General symptoms are loose or liquid stools and/or an increase in the frequency of evacuations (≥ 3 in 24 hours), with or without fever or vomiting. Typically, the diarrhea lasts less than seven days and not longer than 14 days.
AGE A Worldwide Problem.
AGE is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the world. The vast majority of deaths occur in developing countries, but even in the developed world AGE is associated with a substantial number of hospitalizations and high costs.
Probiotics In The Treatment Of AGE.
Several large systematic reviews have found probiotics to be effective in reducing the duration of diarrhea in children with AGE. Studies have also shown that the earlier the onset of probiotic treatment, the faster the recovery.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Acute Gastroenteritis
L. reuteri Reduced Watery Diarrhea In 45% Of Children On The Second Day Of Treatment
L. reuteri significantly reduced the frequency and duration of diarrhea. (Francavilla R et al. Randomised clinical trial: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 vs placebo in children with acute diarrhea – a double blind study. Aliment Pharmcol Ther. 2012;36:363-369. Shornikova AV et al. Lactobacillus reuteri as a therapeutic agent in acute diarrhea in young children. J Pediatr astroenterol Nutr. 1997;24:399-404.)
L. reuteri Reduced Vomiting In Children By 84% On The Second Day Of Treatment
L. reuteri significantly reduced both vomiting and diarrhea. Effects seen already on the second day of treatment. (Eom et al. The Therapeutic Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri in Acute Diarrhea in Infants and Toddlers. Korean J Pediatr 2005;48: 986-989.)
Infectious Protection
Infectious diseases are the most significant illnesses in children under the age of five. For infants and children attending day care centres the risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections is higher than for children that are cared for at home.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Infectious Protection
L. reuteri Reduced The Incidence Of Infections And Absence From Day Care.
Supplementation of L. reuteri led to significantly fewer days with fever, less absence from day care and fewer prescriptions of antibiotics compared to both BB-12 and the placebo group. Days and episodes of diarrhea were significantly reduced with L. reuteri compared to placebo. (Weizman Z , Asli G, ALsheikh A. Effect of a probiotic infant formula on infections in child care centers: comparison of two probiotic agents. Pediatrics. 2005;115:5-9)
Antibiotic-Associated Side Effects
Antibiotic-associated side effects are common and usually affect the gastrointestinal system and may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain. These manifestations appear when antibiotics disturb the balance of the “good” and “bad” bacteria causing pathogenic bacteria to multiply beyond their normal numbers.
Probiotics are regarded as effective for controlling the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and may help to prevent or lower the incidence of antibiotic-associated side effects.
L. reuteri has been studied in children as an adjunct to antibiotic treatment, and has been shown to successfully reduce antibiotic-associated side effects.
Previous Findings
Benefits of L. reuteri on Antibiotic-Associated Side Effects
L. reuteri Reduced The Frequency And Intensity Of Antibiotic-Associated Side Effects In Children
L. reuteri significantly reduced antibiotic-associated side effects compared to placebo. The effects on GI symptoms were evident both during the course of antibiotics and the follow-up period. (Lionetti E et al. Lactobacillus reuteri therapy to reduce side effects during anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment in children: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;24:1461-1468.)