Lactase Enzyme Supplementation in Infants with Colic Symptoms: Evaluation of Parental Experiences

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral lactase supplementation on colic symptoms, defecation patterns, and parental outcomes in infants aged 0-12 months. Materials and Methods: This two-center observational study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital and Yalova University Faculty of Medicine, Yalova Training and Research Hospital. A total of 50 infants aged 0-12 months who had used lactase for at least 4 weeks were included. Data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Continuous variables before and after oral lactase enzyme use were analyzed with the Wilcoxon test, and categorical variables with the McNemar test (p<0.05). Results: Following oral lactase enzyme supplementation, daily crying duration decreased from 4 to 1 hour and crying frequency from 12 to 2 times (both p<0.001). Irritability in infants decreased from 100% to 42%; gas complaints from 100% to 52%; and abdominal distension from 100% to 69.4% (p<0.001). Defecation irregularity declined from 76% to 24%; stool consistency normalized in 96%; and stool color was brown in 96% (p<0.001). Overall, 92% of parents reported improvement, satisfaction was 94%, and no adverse effects were observed. The duration of use was longer in preterm infants (p=0.029). Conclusion: Oral lactase supplementation significantly reduces the symptom burden of infantile colic and increases parental satisfaction.

Keywords

• parental satisfaction
• infantile colic
• lactase enzyme
• lactose intolerance

Kolik Semptomları Olan Bebeklerde Laktaz Enzimi Desteği: Ebeveyn Deneyimlerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, 0–12 ay bebeklerde oral laktaz desteğinin kolik semptomları, dışkılama düzeni ve ebeveyn çıktıları üzerindeki etkisi değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi ve Yalova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Yalova Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesinde yürütülen iki merkezli gözlemsel çalışmaya, en az 4 hafta laktaz kullanan, 0-12 ay arası 50 bebek dahil edildi. Veriler yüz yüze anketlerle toplandı. Oral laktaz enzimi kullanımı öncesi–sonrası sürekli değişkenler Wilcoxon, kategorik değişkenler McNemar testi ile değerlendirildi (p<0,05). Bulgular: Oral laktaz enzimi kullanımı sonrası günlük ağlama süresi 4 saatten 1 saate, ağlama sıklığı 12’den 2’ye düştü (her ikisi p<0,001). Bebeklerde huzursuzluk şikayeti %100’den, %42’ye; gaz şikayeti %100’den %52’ye; karın şişliği %100’den %69,4’e azaldı (p<0,001). Bebeklerde dışkılama düzensizliği %76’dan %24’e geriledi; dışkı kıvamı %96 oranında normalleşti; dışkı rengi %96 kahverengi oldu (p<0,001). Ebeveynlerin %92’si iyileşme bildirdi; memnuniyet %94; yan etki görülmedi. Preterm bebeklerde kullanım süresi daha uzundu (p=0,029). Sonuç: Oral laktaz desteği, infantil kolikte semptom yükünü anlamlı biçimde azaltmakta ve ebeveyn memnuniyetini artırmaktadır.

Keywords

• ebeveyn memnuniyeti
• infantil kolik
• laktaz enzimi
• laktoz intoleransı

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