Prevalence and possible causes of crying and mild gastrointestinal and skin symptoms in infants reported by healthcare professionals - worldwide data

Many infants experience crying, mild gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (such as regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea) and skin symptoms during the first year of life. However, little is known about the prevalence and the management of these symptoms. The aim of this study was to gather insights in the experiences, prevalences, and potential causes of mild-to-moderate crying and GI and skin symptoms in healthy infants (< 12 months) as reported by health care professionals (HCPs) globally.

The study was conducted among HCPs from six regions (China (CN), Europe (EU), Mexico (MX), Middle East (ME), Russia (RU), and the United States (US)). During qualitative interviews with selected experts, alignment on the definitions of crying and GI and skin symptoms and consensus on the survey were reached. The quantitative survey consisted of questions on the reported prevalence of study-defined symptoms in infants, potential causes, treatments, and the role of nutrition in these symptoms Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence, potential causes, and management of study-defined symptoms.

Definitions of crying, GI, and skin symptoms were formulated, supported by 17 in-depth expert interviews. Survey responses from 1047 HCPs were analyzed. The prevalence of study-defined symptoms was reported to be 60%; gas/bloating (22%) was the most prevalent GI symptom, followed by regurgitation (19%) and unexplained crying/colic (18%). The not yet fully developed infants’ GI tract and the type of infants’ nutrition were reported as the main causes of study-defined symptoms. To address infants’ symptoms, HCPs most often recommend changes in feeding regimen (volume, position of the infant, feeding scheme) or in infants’ nutrition, followed by parental advice and/or education.

Conclusion: HCPs reported that more than half of the infants experience at least one symptom in the first year of life. The ongoing development of the infant’s GI tract and infant’s nutrition were reported to be the main causes of study-defined symptoms. To manage infants’ GI symptoms, HCPs recommend a change in feeding regimen or infants’ nutrition along with parental education.