Probiotics are effective in alleviating infantile colic; results of a randomized controlled trial held at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the role of probiotics in alleviating infantile colic (IC) while targeting local population. In case of a positive outcome, its use could be suggested in pediatric health care facilities. Methodology: It was a non-blinded randomized control trial conducted at the department of pediatrics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from 4th October 2012 to 3rd April 2013. Through non-probability consecutive sampling we included breast-fed infants of either sex of age 3 weeks (21 days) to 3 months (90 days) diagnosed with IC based on Wessel’s description. We divided them into two groups i.e. group-A and B who were given probiotics containing Lactobacillus reuteri and simethicone respectively. Results: Of 90 children, 45 children were in each group. Group-A had a mean age 48 ± 17 days and group-B had a mean age 50 ± 17 days. Maximum infants were in sub-group 21 – 45 days (55.6% and 51.1% respectively) in both the groups. The male gender dominated both groups (64.4% and 57.7% respectively). Significantly large percentage (p