ProBiotics may prevent Colic in children...

[Guest guest]

[The Natural Child Project - Celebrating attachment parenting and

unschooling since 1996] <http://www.naturalchild.org/> Home

<http://www.naturalchild.org/> Articles

<http://www.naturalchild.org/articles/> Counseling

<http://www.naturalchild.org/counseling/> Gallery

<http://www.naturalchild.org/gallery/> Donate

<http://www.naturalchild.org/donate/> Shop:

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/> Books

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/books/> Parenting Cards

<http://www.naturalchild.org/parentingcards/> Dolls

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/dolls/> Clothing

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/clothing/> Art

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/art/> Gift Sets

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/gift_sets.html> More...

<http://www.naturalchild.org/shop/> [NCP Supporter: Sleepy Wrap -

sleepywrap.com]

<http://www.sleepywrap.com/?cpe=Y3A9QmFubmVyKzMwMHgxMDAmcz13d3cubmF0dXJh\

bGNoaWxkLm9yZyZjPTUzLjM0JnA9MSZkPTIzT2N0MDc%3D>

Pinpointing Cause of Colic:

UT Houston research identifies organism that could trigger constant

crying

HOUSTON - (July 23, 2009) - Researchers at The University of Texas

Health Science Center at Houston say one organism discovered during

their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable crying

in an otherwise healthy baby.

" Right now, pediatric gastroenterologists can treat just about anything

that comes through the door, " said J. Marc Rhoads, M.D., professor of

pediatrics at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, which

is part of the UT Health Science Center at Houston. " With colic, there

is no evidence-based treatment we can offer. Colic can be a dangerous

situation for a baby. The parent's frustration over the crying can lead

to maternal frustration, post-partum depression and even thoughts of

harming the baby. "

Published in today's online edition of the Journal of Pediatrics, the

study pointed to an organism called Klebsiella, a normally occurring

bacterium that can be found in the mouth, skin and intestines. In the

study of 36 babies, half of which had colic, researchers found the

bacterium and gut inflammation in the intestines of the babies with

colic.

" We believe that the bacterium may be sparking an inflammatory reaction,

causing the gut inflammation, " said Rhoads, the lead investigator for

the study. " Inflammation in the gut of colicky infants closely compared

to levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Colic could prove

to be a precursor to other gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable

bowel syndrome, celiac disease and allergic gastroenteropathies. "

Babies in the study were fed breast milk and/or formula. Previous

research articles have not shown significant data supporting the theory

that breastfeeding protects infants against colic. The babies in the

study were recruited from UT Physicians' pediatric clinics and

Kelsey-Seybold clinics.

Colic is defined as unexplained and severe crying in an otherwise

healthy newborn. It usually occurs in infants three months old or

younger and lasts for more than three hours daily for at least three

days a week. " Colic is a very common condition. It affects about 15

percent of normal, healthy infants. More than half of infanticides fall

into the age category of colic. We may be able to prevent deaths if we

can find a treatment, " Rhoads said.

Right now, pediatricians prescribe special hypoallergenic infant formula

to try and treat colic, but none of it has been proven in studies to be

effective in treating the condition.

" During our study, we also found that the babies that didn?t have colic

had more types of bacteria in their intestines. The presence of more

bacteria may indicate that specific bacterial species (phylotypes) are

beneficial to humans, " Rhoads said.

The study was funded by the Gerber Foundation.

A larger study is needed to examine Klebsiella and the use of a

probiotic, which is a dietary supplement made up of good bacteria, to

control the gut inflammation. Before that can begin, Rhoads said an

adult trial will take place to examine the safety of the probiotics in

healthy adults. For that study, UT researchers are recruiting 40 adult

patients.

Other research personnel at the UT Medical School included

Fatheree, research coordinator; Yuying Liu, Ph.D., researcher; ph

Lucke, Ph.D. and Jon E. Tyson, M.D., professor of pediatrics and

obstetrics and Bain Distinguished Professor in Medicine and

Public Health.

Media Hotline: 713-500-3030

http://www.uthouston.edu/media/newsreleases/nr2009/index.htm?id=1214826

<http://www.uthouston.edu/media/newsreleases/nr2009/index.htm?id=1214826\

>

Attachment Parenting Research <http://www.naturalchild.org/research/>

[The Baby Bond - A Natural Parenting Book from the Author of " Baby

Matters " ] <http://9mp.com/UPqZ8> [Living Crafts: Crafts for the whole

family - Subscribe now and receive Spring 08 FREE. Offer Code: S08NCP]

<http://www.livingcrafts.com/> [sleepy Wrap - The best place after the

womb.]

<http://www.sleepywrap.com/?cpe=Y3A9QmFubmVyKzMwMHgxMDAmcz13d3cubmF0dXJh\

bGNoaWxkLm9yZyZjPTUzLjM0JnA9MSZkPTIzT2N0MDc%3D> [Willow Toys - play,

live, learn]

<http://ww10.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=www.willowtoys.com & afid=16172 & tm=7 & im\

=1> [Counseling with Jan Hunt]

<http://www.naturalchild.org/counseling/> [iGive - Support The Natural

Child Project While You Shop]

<http://www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=6081>