Cow's milk as a cause of infantile colic in breast-fed infants

Lancet. 1978 Aug 26;2(8087):437-9. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)91441-1.

Abstract

18 mothers of 19 breast-fed infants with infantile colic were put on a diet free of cow's-milk protein. The colic disappeared promptly from 13; in 12, it reappeared on at least two further indirect challenges (in the form of a diet containing cow's milk to the mother). Most infants became symptom-free at age 2 to 4 months; at 4 months, only 4 reacted with colic when the mother took cow's milk. 5 infants were directly challenged with cow's milk; 4 reacted promptly with colic. Other signs of intolerance to cow's-milk protein developed in 3 infants during weaning. The treatment of infantile colic in breast-fed infants by a diet free of cow's milk for the mother appears worthwhile.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Breast Feeding
  • Cattle
  • Colic / etiology*
  • Colic / prevention & control
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / etiology*
  • Malabsorption Syndromes / etiology*
  • Malabsorption Syndromes / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Milk Proteins / adverse effects*
  • Milk, Human*

Substances

  • Milk Proteins