A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 80 colicky infants showed that the
crying time was significantly reduced among the infants supplemented by drops
with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis compared to those in the
placebo group. The quality of life for the parents and families were also
significantly improved in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group.
The study was done by Hania Szajewska who is Professor and Chair of the
Department of Paediatrics at the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland. She is
one of the most well reputed experts in probiotics in the world and has
conducted numerous clinical trials.
The significant reduction in crying time confirm earlier studies with
Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis in infants with colic, but further, and for the
first time, the parents perception of the baby’s colic and the quality of life
of the parents and the family have been measured. These parameters showed highly
significant improvements in the probiotic group as compared to the placebo
group. The new study also included colic diagnosed infants that were partially
fed with formula, extending the findings of earlier studies, which were
performed in exclusively breast-fed infants.
The study was performed according to the highest standards of clinical trial
reporting (CONSORT). It was published in The Journal of
Pediatrics (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022347612009201)
on 14 September 2012.
“This is the third independent study with Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis in
infants and the effectiveness of our product in reducing symptoms of colic is
now very clear. This new and strong data further strengthens the position of
Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis within the paediatric field”, says Peter
Rothschild, President, BioGaia.
Colic a common and frustrating problem
Colic refers to a clinical condition of inconsolable crying, fussing and
irritability, most often in the evenings, in an otherwise healthy baby during
the first four months of life, typically peaking at approximately six weeks of
life. According to the diagnostic criteria, a child has infant colic if it has
unexplained episodes of fussing and crying for at least three hours a day for
three days a week or more for at least one week. Up to 26% of infants are
diagnosed with colic, making the condition one of the most frequent reasons for
visits to paediatricians, family practitioners and community nurses.
Lactobacillus reuteri – a well researched probiotic
Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the world's most well researched probiotics,
especially in young children. To date 92 clinical studies using BioGaia's human
strains of Lactobacillus reuteri have been performed in more than 7,700
individuals of all ages. Half of the studies have been performed in premature
babies, infants and children. Results are published in 62 articles in scientific
journals (September 2012).
Latest press releases from BioGaia
2012-09-07 BioGaia’s probiotic prevented necrotizing enterocolitis in high risk
premature infants
2012-08-21 BioGaia AB Interim report 1 January-30 June 2012
2012-06-13 BioGaia signs exclusive agreement for its probiotic drops and oral
rehydration with Nestlé’s Gerber division in the United States
BioGaia has published this information in accordance with the Swedish Securities
Market Act. The information was issued for publication on 17 September 2012,
15:30 am CET.
For additional information please contact
Peter Rothschild, President, telephone: +46 8 555 293 00
Eamonn Connolly, Senior Vice President Research, BioGaia, telephone: +46 8 555
293 00
BioGaia is a healthcare company that develops, markets and sells probiotic
products with documented health benefits. The products are primarily based on
the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri, which has probiotic, health
-enhancing effects. The class B share of the Parent Company BioGaia AB is quoted
on the Mid Cap list of the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm. www.biogaia.com
