Role of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 on Crying Time Reduction in Infantile Colic and Its Impact on Maternal Depression: A Real-Life Clinic-Based Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is beneficial for reduction of crying time in infantile colic, as demonstrated through multiple randomized controlled clinical trials. This clinic-based real-life study is the first to evaluate the role of L. reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic in India. We observed that L. reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation in infantile colic subjects resulted in a significant reduction of crying time and unexplained fussiness. A significant number of subjects reported 50% reduction in crying time throughout the study duration. There was also a significant reduction in maternal depression scores, from baseline to study end. ABSTRACT: Background: Infantile colic is characterized by prolonged periods of inconsolable, incessant crying and persistent fussing in an otherwise healthy infant. It is a self-limiting condition, but causes significant stress to mothers. AIM: To observe the role of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in reducing crying time in colicky infants in routine clinical practice. Methods: This was a prospective observational multicentric clinic-based study. Each practitioner included approximately 30 infants < 5 months of age with infantile colic who were prescribed L. reuteri DSM 17938 for a period of 21 days. There were four physical consultations and two telephonic consultations. The parents were given a daily diary to record the duration of crying and fussing episodes and a questionnaire was administered during the consultations. Results: A total of 120 infants with a mean age of 56.9 ± 34.2 days were included in this 28-day study. The mean crying time as reported by the parents in the subject diary reduced from 248.2 ± 101.2 min, 95% CI: 229.45, 266.94 at baseline to 45.6 ± 79.1 min 95% CI: 31.02, 60.31 at study end (P < 0.01). The clinical response (defined as reduction of 50% in crying time) was observed in 85% of subjects at study end. The fussiness and parental perception of colic recorded during the consultations were reduced by 66% and 72%, respectively, at study end. The maternal depression scores were reduced to 63% at study end. Conclusion: L. reuteri DSM 17938 was associated with a significant reduction in crying time in colicky infants, and showed improvement in maternal depression.