Ghrelin and obestatin in infants, lactating mothers and breast milk.

Aim: To investigate the role of ghrelin and obestatin in infancy.

Methods: We measured ghrelin and obestatin concentrations in blood samples of infants, lactating mothers, and in breast milk.

Results: The median (interquartile range) serum ghrelin concentrations were 922.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To test the efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri on infantile colic and to evaluate its relationship to the gut microbiota.

Study Design: Fifty exclusively breastfed colicky infants, diagnosed according to modified Wessel's criteria, were randomly assigned to receive either L reuteri DSM 17 938 (10(8) colony-forming units) or placebo daily for 21 days. Parental questionnaires monitored daily crying time and adverse effects.

Molecular identification of coliform bacteria from colicky breastfed infants.

Objective: To determine the presence of intestinal coliform bacteria in colicky vs healthy infants.

Study Design: We isolated coliform strains from faeces and performed quantitative bacterial cultures in 41 colicky and 39 healthy breastfed infants, identified using PCR with species-specific primers, strain-specific Automated Ribotyping and the API-50E kit for Enterobacteriaceae to identify the most frequent strains.

Results: Coliform strains were more abundant in colicky infants (median 6.

[Advances on the effects of the compounds of a phytotherapic agent (COLIMIL) on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice].

Aim: Phytotherapic agents, such as herbal formulations containing Matricariae recutita flowers (chamomile) extract, Foeniculum vulgare fruit (fennel) extract and Melissa officinalis aerial parts (lemon balm) extract have beneficial effects on gastrointestinal tract in colicky infants. However, the mechanism is largely unexplored and, particularly, it is not clear if it affects intestinal motility. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of different herbal formulations containing Matricariae recutita extract, Foeniculum vulgare extract and Melissa officinalis extract on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice in vivo.

Looking for a relation between serum leptin concentration and body composition parameters in healthy term infants in the first 6 months of life.

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 115 healthy infants, younger than 6 months old, exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed, to investigate correlations between circulating leptin concentrations and body composition measurements. Serum leptin was evaluated with radioimmunoassay, and body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed a relationship between serum leptin and body mass index in the entire study population (P = 0.

Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: The goal was to test the hypothesis that oral administration of Lactobacillus reuteri in a prospective randomized study would improve symptoms of infantile colic.

Methods: Ninety breastfed colicky infants were assigned randomly to receive either the probiotic L. reuteri (10(8) live bacteria per day) or simethicone (60 mg/day) each day for 28 days.

Reduction of crying episodes owing to infantile colic: A randomized controlled study on the efficacy of a new infant formula.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy on crying episodes owing to infantile colic of a new infant formula containing partially hydrolysed whey proteins, prebiotic oligosaccharides (OS), with a high beta-palmitic acid content.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled study.

Setting: Italy.

A prospective 10-year study on children who had severe infantile colic.

Aim: To evaluate the association between infantile colic and gastrointestinal, allergic and psychological disorders in childhood.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 103 infants aged 31-87 d. After 10 y, between 2001 and 2003, the children were recalled and a paediatrician evaluated the selected disorders by anamnesis, medical examination, laboratory tests and parent interviews.

Intestinal microflora in breastfed colicky and non-colicky infants.

Background: Infantile colics are a common problem in the first months of life. During this period, a process of intestinal colonization rapidly occurs. A difference in the gut microflora could play an important role in the pathogenesis of colics, changing the metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids.

Gastric emptying in infants: epigastric impedance versus scintigraphy.

Aim: To compare epigastric impedance versus scintigraphy in monitoring the gastric emptying of the same adapted milk formula in infants.

Methods: Seven infants with clinical symptoms of gastric motility disease underwent scintigraphy with 99mTc sulphur colloid for the 90 min following the ingestion of the same adapted milk formula, in order to evaluate gastric emptying. A bio-impedance device, connected to a PC, was prepared for this purpose with four standard electrodes placed anteriorly on the upper part of the body.