Rx Note

Introduction Infantile colic is a benign, self-limited process in which a healthy infant has paroxysms of inconsolable crying . The standard diagnostic criteria - known as the "rule of three" (or Wessel Criteria) is crying more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for longer than 3 weeks. Symptoms typically resolve by 3 to 6 months of age. NOTE: There is some evidence that a woman who smokes is more likely to have a baby with colic. Symptoms Colic symptoms may occur in up to 20% of infants. It usually starts between ages 2 and 6 weeks and occurs during the late afternoon or early evening at about the same time each day. The primary manifestation is recurrent crying episodes where the infant is very difficult to console, with fussiness, and/or irritability. Other symptoms may include Drawing arms and legs toward body, Turning red with crying, Burping and excessive flatus, Difficulty with passing stools, Tight fists, kicking, and arching of the back. The infa...

Introduction Probiotics is defined as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. " Prebiotics - dietary ingredient that is used or fermented by microorganisms (gut flora or probiotic) to yield a beneficial result for human host. Examples include inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Synbiotics - a mixture of prebiotic and probiotic. Indications Therapeutic use of probiotics may include: Prevention and treatment of diarrhoea Treatment of atopic dermatitis - inconsistent evidence Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri supplement may reduce crying in infants with colics Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm, low-birth weight infants NOTE: Most studies have been small and use highly variable probiotic preparations, and many have important methodologic limitations, making it difficult to make unequivocal conclusions regarding efficacy. Choosing Probiotics When searching for the probiotics, pay close atten...