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INFANTILE COLIC
Infantile colic presents in otherwise healthy and well-developing infants as episodes of excessive paroxys-
mal crying, which is not helped by routine comfort measures. Colic begins at about 2 to 3 weeks of age and endsanywhere between 3 and 6 months of age. There is no laboratory test to diagnose colic. Doctors have to rule outall the other conditions that can make the baby cry excessively, some of which can be life-threatening. One of themost widely used definitions, which was proposed by Dr. Wessel back in 1954 (1) and is used by many today,states the "Rule of 3": crying lasting longer than 3 hours per day, 3 days per week and continuing for more than 3weeks. The crying of an infant with colic has a typical pattern described as loud, piercing, high-pitched andaversive. The crying may be accompanied by tensing of the abdominal muscles, flexing of the legs, lifting of thehead, flushing of the face, clenching fingers and passing gas. The peak period of crying usually occurs in theevening. The attack may terminate when the infant is completely exhausted, or with the passage of stool or gas(2).
The estimated number of babies affected by colic published by different researchers varies from as low as 3% to as high as 40%. Most researchers agree the number is somewhere between 10% to 20% (3). With thecurrent birth rate in the United States of about 4,000,000 babies a year, this translates into about 400,000 –800,000 cases of colic a year.The cause, or causes of infantile colic are still unknown. However, doctors who studycolic, have reported many interesting observations: Colic is more common among the first born (4).
Colic is more common among breast fed infants (5).
Colici infants have AN increased amount of the hormone motilin in their blood, which is known to stimulate gastrointestinal tract (Motilin can cause cramping) (6).
Colici infants have an increased amount of serotonin by-products in the urine, suggesting an increased production of serotonin (Serotonine can also produce cramping) (7).
Colici infants have abnormal contractility of the gallbladder (8)Colici infants have increased intestinal permeability (9).
Mothers of colici infants experience more stress and anxiety (10).
Mothers of colici infants are older, with higher level of education (5).
Mothers of colici infants are more likely to consume broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, chocolate and All theories that explain colic fall into several categories:
1. Psychological
Psychological, such as an abnormal interaction between mother and infant. One theory
suggests that maternal anxiety is sensed by an infant, and an infant responds to such with colic, which in
turn makes the mother more anxious, setting a vicious cycle. Possibly, an anxious mother actually has increasedlevels of yet unidentified substances in her breast milk that cause intestinal cramps in an infant. A combination ofan increased level of maternal anxiety and more frequent breast feedings among the colici infant points towardthis theory.
2. Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal: hyperactivity, or immaturity of gastrointestinal tract response to either external, or internal
stimulation, intestinal spasms, or excessive production of gas (12, 13, 14). There is a substantial amount ofevidence, such as increased level of motilin, decreased gall bladder activity, and increased hydrogen production,indicating, abnormal function of gastrointestinal tract in colici infants. Gastroesophageal (GE) reflux also has beenproposed as a potential cause of colic. It is true that GE can make the baby cry excessively and simulate colic,however, GE can be successfully treated with either dietary changes, or appropriate anti-reflux medicine. GE is acondition in its own right and should not be confused, or mixed with colic.
3. Allergic disorders
Allergic reactions: such as reaction to cow's milk, or other food constituents consumed either by an infant, or
a mother. There is indirect evidence that some infants may suffer from milk protein allergies, or lactose intolerance,or even from general sensitivity to foods consumed by nursing mothers. However, only a minority of colici infantsrespond to hypoallergenic formulas.
4. Misbalance between serotonin and melatonin production.
According to this new and intriguing theory, colici infants have increased production of serotonin, which is not
opposed by production of melatonin (15). Production of melatonin normally starts at approximately three monthsof age, when colic frequently ends. Since allergies may be responsible for increased production of serotonin, there Page 1 of 5
may be a link between the last two theories.
Many different theories try to explain colic. However, none of these theories explains all cases of colic. No unifying theory takes into account all the known facts of colic. It is likely that colic is a multifactorial condition, whichhas a similar presentation, but is produced by different causes in different infants.
USUAL TREATMENT
Infantile colic is considered to be one of the most frequent reasons parents seek medical attention for their
children during the first weeks of life. Despite the benign and self-limiting course, infantile colic carries a substan-tial psychological, emotional and physical burden for the parents. Colic can interfere with parent-child bonding,cause strain in a marriage, lead to unnecessary hospitalizations, and in some unfortunate cases, lead to childabuse (16). Mothers of colici babies may experience fantasies of infanticide (17). Unlike previously thought, colicdoes not always disappear without a trace, and some children, who suffered from colic in infancy, may experiencegastrointestinal problems later in their lives (18). Some families may experience abnormal interaction levels aftercolic has ceased (19). Therefore, it is important for health care providers to offer parents of a colici baby, simple,inexpensive and effective medical advice and assistance.
The typical therapeutic interventions for infantile colic offered to parents fall into the 4 categories listed 1. Dietary
Dietary manipulations include professional advice on various feeding techniques, or the use of hypoallergenic
milk, soy or lactose free formulas, and an early introduction of solids. (20, 21, 22). However, neither the use of soyformulas, or changes in feeding techniques work effectively. A review of the data studying these recommendationsshowed that use of hypoallergenic formula, such as partially hydrolyzed or amino acid-based, may benefit ap-proximately 25% of infants (23, 24). Occasionally, elimination of offending foods from the maternal diet also mayhelp.
2. Physical
Physical strategies include carrying, swaddling, applying abdominal pressure, or massaging the baby. Other
methods include taking an infant for a car ride, use of a car ride stimulator, crib vibrator, or infant swings (25, 26).
Another approach is to play recordings of sounds that supposedly soothe the baby. However, a car ride pastmidnight is an extremely impractical method. There is evidence in the medical literature that these methods do notwork (27).
3. Pharmacological
Hyoscyamine (levsine™, or gastrosed™) and Dicyclomine are two anticholinergic drugs, (anticholinergic
drugs are similar in their effect to atropine. They dilate pupils, increase heart rate, decrease production of saliva,relieve spasms of gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, as well as bronchi) which are the only prescription medica-tions on the U.S. market that consistently have been shown to effectively treat infantile colic. Unfortunately, up 5%of treated infants may develop side effects, including breathing difficulties, apnea, seizures, syncope, asphyxia,coma and muscular hypotonia (28, 29). In addition, several cases of death have been reported in infants takingdicyclomine (30). It is not surprising that these drugs are rarely prescribed by physician for infantile colic (16,31).Several sedative or sleep-inducing drugs, including diphenhydramine (benadryl™), phenobarbital, chloralhydrate, and even alcohol have been reported as effective treatment for infantile colic. However, there is thepotential for serious side effects associated with these agents, thus limiting their widespread use in treating colic(16, 32). Simethicone (Mylicone), a non-absorbable, over-the-counter drug, which reduces the size of intestinalgas bubbles is frequently recommended, despite several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of simethiconeon infantile colic is no better than placebo (33, 34).4. Behavioral Recommendations for behavioral interventions are the most inconsistent therapies available. Some authors advocate increasing sensory stimulation, while others advocate decreasing such stimulation (16, 31, 35). Otherrecommendations include early response to crying, or allowing THE infant to cry, offering a pacifier, implementa-tion of a routine feeding schedule, using eye contact and interactive playing.
The lack of a safe, effective, practical and affordable therapeutic modality for infantile colic has led many physicians to believe that counseling, education, reassurance and empathy are the best forms of colic therapyavailable (2, 16, 27).
USE OF FENNEL
Various plants have been used to relieve of infantile colic, including catmint (Nepeta cataria), chamomille
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(Matricaria chamomilla), dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis),and others. Among these plants, fennel is the most frequently recommended by herbologists and naturopaths. Allof these listed plants are rich in volatile oils, and their beneficial effects are attributed to volatile oils. The highestconcentration of the fennel oil, ranging from 2 to 7%, is found in the seeds. Fennel volatile oil is a mixture of at leasta dozen of different chemicals. The main ingredients of fennel seed oil are: anethole, 40 to 70%; fenchone, 10 to30%; and estragole, 2 to 9%. Other components are present in concentrations usually less than 1%. Animalexperiments have shown that fennel oil regulates contractility of the small intestine (36, 37, 38). Anethole has achemical structure similar to a chemical that is naturally present in the body, called dopamine. Dopamine is knownto have a relaxing effect on the intestine, and perhaps, explains why fennel has a beneficial effect on infantile colic.
Fennel has a long documented history of use, dating to an ancient Egypt. Even today, many lactating moth- ers in Asian countries routinely take fennel.
Preparations of fennel seed available on the market today exist as either teas or extracts, and contain variable and unpredictable concentrations of the volatile oil. This variability in oil concentration results from manyfactors, including soil and climate of the growing region, harvesting methods, manufacturing, and storage condi-tions. The inconsistency in the concentration of oil makes it difficult to obtain an effective, predictable and repro-ducible response. That explains why until recently there has only been one clinical study supporting the use ofherbs, including fennel for infantile colic (47).
SAFETY OF FENNEL
Fennel has the remarkable qualities of being both effective and very safe. No acute or chronic toxic reactions
to fennel, or to fennel products in humans have ever been reported. Laboratory animals given 3000 milligrams offennel extract per kilogram of weight showed no sign of toxicity (39). Likewise, fennel seed oil tested in animalexperiments has been found to be non-toxic at doses significantly higher, than those used in humans. For ex-ample, animals fed a diet containing 1% of anethole, the main component of fennel seed oil, had no toxic effects(40). The recommended daily amount of fennel seed oil for an average colicky 1 month old, who weighs approxi-mately 4 kilograms (9 lbs.), would be 20 to 40 milligrams. Such an infant consumes approximately 600 gram (20oz) of formula, or milk per day. Therefore, 20 to 40 mg. of fennel seed oil given to an infant daily would be equal to0.0035 to 0.007% of the total daily food consumption, which is 140 to 280 times less, than in a study quoted.
Besides its antispasmodic qualities, fennel seed oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, probably attrib- uted to anethole, which itself has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and also anticarcinogeniceffects (41, 42, 43).
Even though fennel is mentioned as an allergen, the allerginicity of fennel is extremely low, probably much lower than of milk, soy or eggs. In fact, since 1948 there were only two reports of allergic reaction to fennel plantin the English literature (44, 45). However, all statements of experts regarding the allerginicity of fennel are basedon these two reports. It has been shown that fennel allergy is caused by pollen (46), which is always present inunprocessed seeds. Fennel seed oil, which is produced by distillation of fennel seeds, has no pollen particles in it,and therefore, cannot produce allergic reactions.
Undiluted, or 100% fennel seed oil applied to the skin for a long period of time can produce local irritation.
However, diluted fennel seed oil is not irritating. In an experiment on human volunteers, application of 4% oil didnot produce any reactions.
The Council of Europe included fennel in the list of spices and seasonings in 1973. Fennel seed oil has been on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recommended As Safe) list of flavoring substances in the United States since1970's.
PEDIACALM
After several years of research and study, Lev Laboratories has created uniquely formulated fennel based
• Pediacalm is a stable emulsion of standardized* volatile oil of fennel in water.
• Pediacalm is the only standardized herbal dietary supplement for infantile colic. This guarantees the amount of active ingredients in each bottle.
• Pediacalm is safe, contains no alcohol, bicarbonate or sugar. All ingredients in Pediacalm are FDA • Pediacalm is the only fennel preparation with patented composition. (US 6 346 250 B2)• Pediacalm is conveniently packaged as a ready to use product into 6 oz nursing bottles.
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• Pediacalm is effective. This was supported by a recently conducted clinical study. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial, which involved a total of 125 infants demonstrated significant improve-ment (65%) among the infants taking this product in comparison with infants taking placebo (23.7%) (submittedfor publication).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1
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