Impact of Probiotic Preparation VSL#3 on Infants Colics

Policlinico Hospital

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 4

Conditions: Infant Colics

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: VSL#3 drops; Dietary Supplement: VSL#3 drops placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01869426

VSLcolics13

Details and patient eligibility

About

Infantile colic is one of the most commonly reported medical problems within the first three months of life causing appreciable distress for both parents and pediatricians.

It appears that multiple independent origins might be involved: amongst them infant's difficult temperament, inadequate mother-infant communication or maternal anxiety, transient lactase deficiency, exposure to cow's milk, abnormal gastrointestinal function, maternal smoking during pregnancy or after delivery. Consequently, various treatment approaches have been tried to alleviate this condition.

Recent studies have suggested that changes of intestinal microflora of a newborn may play an important role in pathogenesis of infantile colic. Therefore, dietary supplementation with probiotics has been proposed for the improvement of this condition.

Full description

Aim of the study is to evaluate the improvement of colics symptoms by the oral administration of VSL#3 and the difference in the daily average crying time (measured with parental diary) between end of treatment and baseline.

In this study, 62 infants will be enrolled and will receive 10 drops per day of VSL#3 or Placebo according to randomization list. The study product will be supplied as a box containing the oil bottle and a powder stick. The product should be stored refrigerated. On the first day of supplementation, the mother will open the sachet, pour the contents into the bottle and shake vigorously. A dropper is provided to count the drops. The suspension must be shaken vigorously before every use. Compliance will be monitored by filling out a diary.

Enrollment: 62 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 90 days old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Infants aged between 30 and 90 days
• Breast fed exclusively during length of trial
• Diagnosis of infantile colic according to Wessel's criteria i.e paroxysmal fussing in infancy for more than three hours per day, at least three days per week but not treated previously for colics.
• Debut of colic symptoms 6+/-1 days before randomization
• Written informed consent from one or both parents
• Stated availability and reliability throughout the study period.

Exclusion criteria

• Major chronic disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Administration of antibiotics the week before randomization
• Administration of probiotics two weeks before randomization
• Infants with GI malformation, cystic fibrosis, other genetic diseases
• Participation in other clinical trials.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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62 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

VSL#3 drops

Active Comparator group

Description:

31 infants will receive 10 drops active product that should be taken daily (preferably in the morning before feeding) for 21 days.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: VSL#3 drops

VSL#3 drops placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

31 infants will receive 10 drops of placebo product that should be taken daily (preferably in the morning before feeding) for 21 days.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: VSL#3 drops placebo