A blend of probiotics manufactured by Kaneka Probiotics and AB-Biotics, B. longum KABP-042 and P. pentosaceus KABP-041 (BL + PP), appeared to be more effective in reducing colic in a population of infants than L. reuteri DSM17938 (LR), which is widely recognized for its role in alleviating symptoms of colicky infants. The results of the study were published in the European Journal of Pediatrics.
 
Infant colic is characterized by frequent episodes of intense crying and fussing with no obvious cause in otherwise healthy babies. It impacts 20% of infants up to five months of age, and typically goes away on its own. However, it can be associated with the onset of gastrointestinal disorders later in life. Some researchers suggest that colicky babies have an altered gut microbiota defined by pro-inflammatory enterobacteria and reduced levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. For several years, guidelines from the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) have recognized L. reuteri DSM17938 as a treatment for colic to restore microbial balance.
 
In the study, 112 infants diagnosed with colic were administered either the BL + PP blend or the LR daily for 21 days. The primary study outcomes were changes in crying and fussing time as reported by parents in a structured diary, as well as daily crying during observations at days seven, 14, and 21.
 
Responder rate was significantly higher in the BL + PP group (61.1%) than the LR group (37.5%). At baseline, both groups had an average crying time of 270 minutes per day, and reductions in crying and fussing time were significantly lower in the BL + PP group than the LR group on day seven (119 vs. 180 minutes), and day 14 (84.6% less than day seven versus 59.3% less than day seven). By day 21, the benefits observed were still significantly greater in the BL + PP group, according to the authors.
 
“This study marks a potential step-change for the symptom support of colicky infants. L. reuteri DSM17938 is demonstrated to be effective in the study, but the combination of Bifidobacterium longum KABP-042 and Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP-041 is significantly more effective in reducing crying time,” said Jordi Espadaler, director of innovation at AB-Biotics. “To us, bringing probiotics to life means advancing the field of probiotics with improved or alternative solutions for consumers worldwide. In this latest study, we wanted to examine our probiotic solution for infant colic treatment, not just in their inherent ability to relieve symptoms but to bolster the evidence for newer solutions compared to the established norms.”
 
The benefits of administering the probiotic were seen regardless of whether babies were breastfed or formula-fed. The multi-centric, multi-country design of the study allowed for the inclusion of two different ethnicities, showing consistent results across different ethnic populations. Previous research on this probiotic blend also validated it in a population in China.
 
“This study is the culmination of years of research and development by our team of experts,” said Sergi Audivert, executive director and co-founder of AB-Biotics. “Our unprecedented trial comparing the established support for infant colic with our new probiotic solution not only strengthens our position of our probiotic for colic as the most effective probiotic for colic, but supports our ultimate goal to increase the quality of research around probiotics for infants, ensuring we strive to further alleviate the severity of functional gastrointestinal disorders globally.”
 
The two bacteria used in the blend are evidenced to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and induce anti-inflammatory cytokines, while supporting intestinal barrier integrity by means of molecules called polyphosphates. The probiotic is available in an oil-based solution, making it easy to administer to breastfed and formula-fed infants.