Colic May Lead to Future Disease

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

25 Jul 2009 12:03 PM

Researchers are studying colic in babies, the one gastrointestinal condition that can stump even the experts. They have some interesting news about it, including identification of a bacterium that may be causing the condition, as well as a link between colic in babies and the later development of gastrointestinal disease into adulthood.

Colic is characterized by inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It has long been thought that some form of gastrointestinal discomfort is to blame. Colic can be dangerous not directly but because it can lead to frustration in parents, post partum depression and even harm to the baby by a frustrated parent or caregiver.

Let us get to the findings. Researchers have identified a bit of bacteria in the gut of collicky babies. The bacterium is called Klebsiella, and it normally occurs in the mouth, skin and intestines of humans. One thing that is interesting is that in the study, the researchers found this bacterium along with inflammation of the gut in the babies who had colic. Their conclusion is that Klebsiella is causing the inflammation, which is comparable to being seen in adults who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. There is concern that a baby who has colic is more likely to develop gut-related disease, such as celiac disease, allergic gastroenteropathies and, of course, inflammatory bowel disease.

Another interesting find was that the babies who did not have colic actually had more different types of bacteria in their systems. This may mean that the additional bacteria may actually be helping to prevent the inflammation that leads to colic.

Nothing so far has proven to cure colic, from special formula to breastfeeding, although many parents swear by home grown methods of relieving the condition.

The next step is trials with the use of probiotics, good bacteria in the form of dietary supplements. First, the probiotics will be tested on adults to make sure that they are safe before babies can be exposed to them.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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