Chapter 12 The association between intestinal microbiota and infant crying and behaviour

V. Sung Related information

¹Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
^*Corresponding author: valerie.sung@rch.org.au

, A. Pärtty Related information

²Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520 Turku, Finland.

https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-839-1_12

Abstract:

This chapter describes the emerging evidence suggesting the association between intestinal microbiota, use of probiotics and infant crying and behaviour, with particular focus on infant colic. It first describes the challenges in defining and measuring infant colic, its epidemiology and burden, and its association with later mental health problems. The chapter discusses the aetiological theories of infant colic, from the traditional hypotheses to the more recent evidence of the role of gut microbiota, inflammation and the gut-brain axis. The chapter then outlines the evidence on the role of probiotics in treating and preventing infant colic. It proposes recommendations on managing infant colic, and finally concludes with suggestions for future clinical research.

Keywords: infant colic, infant behaviour, probiotics, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus, coliforms