Treatment of Infantile Colic

Aim: To determine the effects of treatments for infantile colic.

Conclusions and results: We summarized the results from 4 systematic reviews and found that the following interventions might somewhat reduce the duration of crying:

• Advise parents to reduce stimulation of the child
• Cows’ milk free formula to child

Use of sucrose may have an ameliorating effect on infant colic. The included overviews convey substantial uncertainty about the effects of the other evaluated options.

Our review shows four promising interventions that might reduce the duration of infant crying, eg, reducing stimulation of the child and use of sucrose and cows’ milk free formula to child. These results must be interpreted with caution due to substantial methodological concerns regarding the individual studies included in the reviews.

Methods: We systematically searched for literature in relevant international databases, included articles that met our inclusion criteria, and critically appraised and summarized the results.

Further research/reviews required: Further, rigorous research is necessary to determine the effects of treatments for infantile colic.

Written by: Hilde T Myrhaug, NOKC, Norway