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Objectives: The etiology of infantile colic has remained unknown. The present study aimed to identify possible differences in the fecal microbial composition and metabolic end products between colicky and non-colicky infants and to examine whether an orally administered probiotic supplementation has any effect on the microbiota and relief in colicky symptoms. Subjects and methods: The study population consisted of nine colicky and nine non-colicky infants. Five colicky infants received probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bbi99, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS) and four colicky infants received placebo for 2 weeks. Fecal microbiota of all infants was studied by culture, cellular fatty acid (CFA) analysis, and gas and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in 48 h fermentation. Microbial parameters and crying profiles were compared between the cases and controls at baseline and between the probiotic and placebo supplementation after 2 weeks. Results: Although SCFA and gas production and bacterial total counts were similar, the prevalence of indole-producing coliforms was significantly higher in colicky infants compared with controls (89% vs 33%), while many aerobic genera present in controls were not detected in colicky infants. CFA composition reflected the differences, since >2% of the CFAs were present exclusively in the colicky group. After probiotic supplementation, the total counts of anaerobic bacteria, especially lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, increased significantly. Fermentation parameters were not extensively affected; however, acetic and lactic acid production tended to increase and hydrogen production tended to decrease. No significant difference was observed in crying patterns between the probiotic and placebo group. Conclusion: The composition of the intestinal microbiota differs between colicky and non-colicky infants. Although no apparent relief in colicky symptoms was achieved, the probiotic supplementation seems to increase the bacterial diversity and strengthen the succession towards a balanced commensal gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increase in allergic diseases is attributed to a relative lack of microbial stimulation of the infantile gut immune system. Probiotics, live health-promoting microbes, might offer such stimulation. Objective: We studied the effect of a mixture of 4 probiotic bacterial strains along with prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in preventing allergic diseases. Methods: We randomized 1223 pregnant women carrying high-risk children to use a probiotic preparation or a placebo for 2 to 4 weeks before delivery. Their infants received the same probiotics plus galacto-oligosaccharides (n = 461) or a placebo (n = 464) for 6 months. At 2 years, we evaluated the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases (food allergy, eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis) and IgE sensitization (positive skin prick test response or serum antigen-specific IgE level >0.7 kU/L). Fecal bacteria were analyzed during treatment and at age 2 years. Results: Probiotic treatment compared with placebo showed no effect on the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases but tended to reduce IgE-associated (atopic) diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% CI, 0.50-1.00; P = .052). Probiotic treatment reduced eczema (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98; P = .035) and atopic eczema (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46-0.95; P = .025). Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria more frequently (P < .001) colonized the guts of supplemented infants. Conclusion: Probiotic treatment showed no effect on the incidence of all allergic diseases by age 2 years but significantly prevented eczema and especially atopic eczema. The results suggest an inverse association between atopic diseases and colonization of the gut by probiotics. Clinical implications: The prevention of atopic eczema in high-risk infants is possible by modulating the infant''s gut microbiota with probiotics and prebiotics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]