Lactase for Infant Colic: Does It Reduce Crying?

clinical-trial PMID: 30504935

Lactase for Infant Colic: Does It Reduce Crying?

Quick Summary: A clinical trial tested if lactase enzyme drops help babies with colic, a condition causing excessive crying. Infants who got the lactase supplement saw big improvements in crying time after two weeks, with 86.5% showing less fussiness compared to 59.6% in the placebo group. This suggests lactase could ease colic symptoms for many families.

What The Research Found

Researchers wanted to see if lactase enzyme—a natural helper that breaks down lactose in milk—could calm colicky babies. Colic means a baby cries a lot, often more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for 3 weeks or more.

Key results showed the lactase group improved way more than the fake treatment (placebo) group. At the start, every baby had colic symptoms. After two weeks:
- 86.5% of babies getting lactase had shorter crying spells.
- Only 59.6% in the placebo group got better.
The difference was clear and backed by science (p<0.05, meaning it's not just luck).

No side effects were mentioned, pointing to lactase as a gentle option for upset tummies possibly linked to trouble digesting milk sugar.

Study Details

This was a fair test called a double-blind randomized trial, meaning neither parents nor doctors knew who got the real drops until the end. It ran from late 2014 to mid-2017 at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Who was studied: 104 healthy babies aged 0-6 months with colic. Half were boys (50 boys total), and they all had the crying problem at the start.
How long: Parents tracked crying for two weeks during the treatment.
What they took: Babies in the real group got 5 drops of Colibid (lactase enzyme) before every feeding. The placebo group got look-alike drops with no lactase. Everyone followed the same schedule.

What This Means For You

If your baby has colic and cries endlessly, lactase drops might help cut down those tough evenings. It's a simple add-on to formula or breast milk feeds, targeting possible lactose issues without strong meds.

Talk to your pediatrician first—they can check if it's right for your little one. This isn't a cure-all, but it could mean more peaceful nights for you and baby. Many parents search for "natural remedies for infant colic," and this trial supports lactase as one worth trying under guidance.

Study Limitations

No study is perfect, so keep these in mind:
- It was done in one hospital in Pakistan, so results might differ for babies elsewhere or in different cultures.
- Only two weeks long— we don't know if benefits last longer or if it's safe for months.
- Parents reported crying times, which can vary by how tired or stressed they feel (not super objective).
- No details on the placebo's makeup, which might affect how well the "blind" part worked.
- Didn't break down results by baby age or gender, so it might not fit every case.

Bigger, longer studies could confirm this for wider use. Always pair with doctor advice for your baby's health.

(Source: PubMed study from 2018. Word count: 478)

Key Findings

The study concluded that lactase enzyme supplementation (Colibid) significantly reduced the duration of excessive crying in infants with colic compared to placebo. After two weeks, 86.5% of infants in the intervention group showed improvement versus 59.6% in the placebo group (p<0.05).

Study Design

This was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted at Kharadar General Hospital, Karachi, from November 2014 to June 2017. The sample included 104 infants aged 0–6 months diagnosed with colic (defined as crying ≥3 hours/day, ≥3 days/week for ≥3 weeks). Participants were randomized into two equal groups (n=52 each): intervention (Colibid) and placebo.

Dosage & Administration

The intervention group received five drops of Colibid (lactase enzyme supplement) before each feed for two weeks. The placebo group received identical-looking drops without active lactase. Administration timing and frequency were standardized across both groups.

Results & Efficacy

At baseline, 100% of infants exhibited colic symptoms. After two weeks:
- Intervention group: 45/52 infants (86.5%) showed reduced crying duration.
- Placebo group: 31/52 infants (59.6%) showed improvement.
The difference between groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). No effect sizes or confidence intervals were explicitly reported.

Limitations

Single-center design: Conducted only in Karachi, limiting generalizability to other populations.
Short duration: Outcomes measured over two weeks, leaving long-term efficacy and safety unclear.
Placebo composition: The placebo’s inert status was not detailed, potentially affecting blinding.
Subjective measurement: Crying duration relied on parental reporting, introducing bias.
Lack of subgroup analysis: No data on age-specific or sex-specific responses (despite 48.1% male participants).
Future research should validate findings in diverse settings, assess sustained effects, and explore objective crying measurement methods.

Clinical Relevance

For infants with colic, lactase enzyme supplements like Colibid may offer a safe, effective intervention to reduce excessive crying. The study supports their use as a non-pharmacological option, though larger trials are needed to confirm these results. Parents should consult healthcare providers before use, as individual responses may vary. This trial adds evidence to lactase supplementation as a potential strategy for managing colic symptoms in early infancy.

Word count: 398
Source: PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30504935/)
Date: 2018
Type: Clinical trial