Colic in breast fed infants is due to hypersensitivity to dietary proteins excreted in breast milk

Abstract

RationaleExcessive crying and distress (colic) affects 10 to 20% of infants. Breast milk contains trace amounts of maternally ingested dietary antigens. We hypothesized hypersensitivity to trace amounts of proteins in breast milk elicits infantile colic.MethodsBreast-fed infants, <6 weeks of age with colic (distress ≥3 hours/24 hours for ≥3 days in the week prior to presentation) were studied over 7 days. Mothers were randomly allocated to a “low-allergen” diet which excluded milk, egg, wheat, peanut, tree nuts and fish or a “control” diet which contained these foods. Based on our previous studies 45 patients in each “low-allergen” and “control” diet group would detect an 80% probability of ..