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

Year 2025, Volume: 13 Issue: 3, 58 - 63, 07.11.2025

Vefik Arıca , Belen Ateş , Taner Adıgüzel , Eren Güzeloğlu , Sevilay Kök , Emine Gözde Özdrama Yıldız

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

Ethical Statement

his study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital (Date: 16.06.2025, Decision No: 213, Approval ID: E-48670771-514.99-279129226). Written informed consent was obtained from the parents of all participating infants prior to inclusion. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

This study was conducted with the support of the University of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul, Türkiye, and Yalova University Faculty of Medicine, Yalova Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Yalova, Türkiye.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all the participating families for their valuable cooperation and contributions to this study. We also extend our gratitude to the clinical staff of the University of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital and Yalova University Faculty of Medicine, Yalova Training and Research Hospital, for their support during data collection.

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

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, İstanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (Tarih: 16.06.2025, Karar No: 213, Onay ID: E-48670771-514.99-279129226). Çalışmaya dâhil edilen tüm bebeklerin ebeveynlerinden yazılı bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır. Çalışma, Helsinki Bildirgesi’nde yer alan etik ilkeler doğrultusunda yürütülmüştür.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Kliniği (İstanbul, Türkiye) ile Yalova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Yalova Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Kliniği’nin desteğiyle yürütülmüştür.

Thanks

Yazarlar, bu çalışmaya değerli katkı ve iş birliği sağlayan tüm ailelere teşekkür eder. Ayrıca veri toplama sürecinde desteklerini esirgemeyen Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi ve Yalova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Yalova Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi’nin klinik personeline de şükranlarını sunar.

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