relation between infantile colic and cow's milk protein intolerance in formula-fed infants

ABSTRACT

Infantile colic is one of the most frequent problems to occur in the first few months after birth. To determine the relationship between infantile colic and cow's milk protein intolerance [CMPI] in formula-fed infants, 70 infants with severe colic were selected among 160 colicky infants. There was a remission of symptoms in 47 infants [67.1%] when cow's milk formula was replaced by soy formula and two successive challenges caused the recurrence of symptoms in all these infants. Positive family history of atopy was detected in 10 infants with CMP-related colic and in one infant with non-CMP related colic. Twenty two infants [46.8%] with CMP-related colic and one infant [4%] with non-CMP-related colic developed alimentary food intolerance after about one year follow-up period. Since most-cases of severe colic in formula fed infants are caused by CMPI, a change of formula and introduction of CMP-free diet should be the first therapeutic approach, and the possibility of development of other alimentary intolerance at a later age necessitates a careful alimentary follow-up of these infants