Background: Colic is a common distressing problem of infancy. The underlying etiology has not determined yet, however several hypotheses were suggested including gastrointestinal inflammation and disturbed gut microflora. The aim of this study was to explore the role of gut microorganism and fecal calprotectin in infantile colic.
Methods: Ninety healthy infants aged 14 to 90 days were included. Forty five of them have infantile colic. Detailed medical history andexamination in addition to stool culture and measuring fecal calprotectin level by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) were done for all included infants.
Results: Colicky Infants have significant higher rate of Escherichia coli infection than non-colicky infants (57.8% vs 17.8%) do. Fecal calprotectin was significantly higher in colicky Infants than non-colicky infants and in infants with Escherichia coli infection than non-infected infants. Vomiting, umbilical hernia, maternal stress, previous sibling with infantile colic, increased body weight and herbal intake were significantly associated with infantile colic. Types of feeding in first 3months of life were not related to infantile colic, E-coli infection and fecal calprotectin level. Regression analysis revealed that elevated fecal calprotectin, Escherichia coli infection, vomiting and higher weight were the main predictors for infantile colic.
Conclusion: Fecal calprotectin level and Escherichia coli infection are increased in colicky infants reflecting the role of gastrointestinal inflammation and infection in infantile colic. Advice the mothers to avoid stressful conditions, over feeding or introduction of any remedy food during the first 3 months of life.