Infantile colic treatment: new prospects

Infantile colic is a common disturbance occurring in the first three months of life. It is a benign condition and one of the main causes of pediatric consultation in the early part of life because of its great impact on family life. Some pediatricians are prone to undervalue this issue and there is no consensus concerning management and treatment. In literature are growing evidences about the effectiveness of dietary, pharmacological, complementary and behavioral therapies as options for the management of infantile colic. Dietary approach is based on the avoidance of cow’s milk proteins in breast-feeding mothers and bottle-fed infants. Currently pharmacological agents over the counter or by prescription are not recommended because of reported side effects. There is limited evidence supporting the use of complementary and alternative treatments (herbal supplements, manipulative approach and acupuncture) or behavioral modification interventions. Recent studies have partially clarified the pathogenesis of this disturb and so new treatments, such as probiotics, have been proposed. Further investigations are needed in order to provide evidence-based guidelines.