The quality of evidence is downgraded by inconsistency (variability in results), and by imprecise results (wide confidence intervals).
A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 6 studies with a total of 1 886 subjects comparing probiotics with placebo. Two studies examined Lactobacillus reuteri DSM, 2 examined multi-strain probiotics, 1 examined Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and 1 examined Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis. Two studies began probiotics during pregnancy and continued administering them to the baby after birth.
No difference was found between the groups in the occurrence of new cases of colic (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.19; statistical heterogeneity I2 =72%; 3 studies, n=1 148), or in serious adverse effects (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.14 to 7.21; 6 studies, n=1 851; only 4 serious events for one comparison, 2 in each group: meconium plug obstruction, patent ductus arteriosus and neonatal hepatitis). Probiotics reduced the crying time at study end (MD -32.57 minutes per day, 95% CI -55.60 to -9.54; I2 = 93%; 3 studies, n=707).A subgroup analysis of the most studied agent, Lactobacillus reuteri, showed a reduction of 44.26 minutes in daily crying (95% CI -66.6 to -21.9; I2 = 92%), in favour of probiotics.
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