Infantile Colic and Cow’s milk: Is there a link?
Infantile colic is a little controversial. There is much debate about this condition; the points for debate include; cause, diagnostic criteria and if colic actually even exists. At this point in time the consensus is that colic is real and is characterised in an infant by extended bouts of crying, fussiness and/or irritability in an otherwise healthy baby (2). A common method used for diagnosis is Wessel’s rule of three. Colic is present when there is crying for at least three hours per day, for three days in any one week, for at least three weeks in the first three months of life (1).
Colic affects up to 28% of infants in the first year of life (3). Symptoms may include crying, irritability, fussiness, inability to settle, fist clenching, back arching, drawing knees into chest, flatulence, changes to bowel habits, flushed red face (2). The symptoms are so variable that makes it so hard to know the exact cause for the individual child. Condition’s which may complicate colic include: cow’s milk protein intolerance, soy protein intolerance, infection, intusseption, bowel obstruction, pyloric stenosis, nursing technique, maternal diet, parental stress and more. This blog will focus on the evidence linking colic and a cow’s milk protein intolerance/allergy.
Cow’s milk protein allergy affects 2%- 10% (depending on source) of infants 2 years of age and under (4). There is a variability in degree of sensitivity amongst sufferers. Colic is one of many presentations which is common amoungst babies with a cow’s milk protein allergy (4). Other signs may include; gastrointestinal system changes (constipation, diarrhoea or an interchange of both), respiratory system changes (snuffly breather, crackles/wet sounds, runny nose, blocked sinuses), skin changes (rash, redness, eczema), sleep changes (especially at night, poor settling) (5,6).
Although colic is not currently thought to be part of an IgE or T-cell mediated immune system response which is seen in cow’s milk protein allergies, there are certainly many articles citing a correlation between the high presence of colic amongst infants with cow’s milk protein allergy and there are also many sources reporting an improvement in infant irritability and colic symptoms after removal of cow’s milk protein products from the maternal diet or change of formula away from cow’s milk based formula.
Many articles also discuss the complexity of colic and the common cross over with gastro-oesophageal reflux and oesophagitis; which are also commonly associated with a cow’s milk protein intolerance (1,3,4).
Sources also suggest the indication for an elimination (of cow’s milk) diet cannot be based solely on allergy tests; as these can be unreliable as the allergy response may IgE mediated or T-cell mediated and more research needs to be done in terms of developing the gold standard in diagnosis of cow’s milk protein intolerance/allergy (4). Should this be simply done by an elimination diet and see if the baby’s symptoms relieve?
Cow’s milk protein can be found in any food that is made with cow’s milk
These include:
dairy products: milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt, custard, sour cream, ice cream etc
foods containing milk solids: sauces, salad dressings, chocolate, lollies, many processed foods with flavourings and toppings contain milk solids and therefore cow’s milk protein!
cow’s milk can be added to things like: biscuits, cakes, slices, desserts, drinks etc.
baby formula containing a cows milk base
many pre-made baby food products contain cow’s milk and or milk solids
some medications and supplements contains cow’s milk protein
In many children with a cow’s milk intolerance even the slightest exposure to cow’s milk protein can be enough to perpetuate their problem and cause an allergic response from the immune system. Therefore, total avoidance is important for their long term benefit.
Amanda Collins Chiropractor
References:
- Miller- Loncar. C, Bigsby R, High, P et al. Infant colic and feeding difficulties. Arch Dis Child. 2004 Oct; 89(10): 908–912.
- Best Practice. The Effectiveness of Interventions for Infant Colic. Joanna Briggs Institute. Volume 12 Issue 6 2008 ISSN: 1329-1874
- Hill, Roy, Heine et al. Effect of a Low-Allergen Maternal Diet Among Breastfed Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Pediatrics Vol. 116 No. 5 Novemember 2005.
- Fiocchi, A, Brozek et al. World Allergy Organization (WAO) Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow’s Milk Allergy (DRACMA) Guidelines. WAO Jounral. April 2010.
- Denis et al. Cow’s milk protein allergy through human milk. Arch Pediatr2012 Mar;19(3):305-12. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2011.12.002. Epub 2012 Jan 4.
photo credit: 7.
Hi, I’m Michael; Chiropractor, Dad, science enthusiast, active weightlifter and keen sportsman. I work with busy and active people who are struggling with pain to find relief from their symptoms so that they can return to an active lifestyle, get through their work day and their workouts without having to pop a pill so that they can feel happier and healthier in their body.
