Managing Infant Colic and Constipation - A Health Professional CPD PDF

DATE OF PUBLICATION: APRIL 2024 THIS IS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY Managing infant colic and constipation – what...

DATE OF PUBLICATION: APRIL 2024 THIS IS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY Managing infant colic and constipation – what does the research say? This CPD module can be used by Dietitians & Nutritionists, GPs, Health Visitors, Midwives, Neonatologists, Paediatricians & Pharmacists In association with: Written by: Diane Lace BSc (Hons), PhD Reviewed by: Dr Simon Carvell MBChB, FRCGP TAKE THIS MODULE MANAGING INFANT COLIC AND CONSTIPATION – WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? THIS IS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY Module summary Functional gastrointestinal disorders such as colic and 1 2 constipation are common in babies, but can be a huge source 3 of worry for parents. So, how can you help? Advising parents 4 that these are benign conditions that will pass in time is a good 5 6 start. Breastfeeding mums should be supported to continue 7 breastfeeding and advised about measures that might help their 8 baby. Formula-fed babies might respond to these same measures, 9 10 but parents can also try switching them to a comfort formula. But 11 what does the research say about these approaches? 12 13 Learning objectives 14 After studying the clinical review and completing the online 15 16 assessment, you should: 17 Recognise the stress that colic and constipation places on 18 parents and the healthcare system 19 Be familiar with causes and management options for all babies 20 21 Understand the rationale and evidence for using probiotics and In association with: 22 23 comfort formulas to help manage colic and constipation 24 25 Authors 26 Written by: Dr Diane Lace BSc (Hons), PhD 27 Reviewed by: Dr Simon Carvell MBChB, FRCGP 28 29 This learning module can be used towards CPD for revalidation with the 30 Next steps Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Medical Council (GMC) 31 Read the clinical review content and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) 32 Complete the online assessment 33 Receive CPD certificate Date of Publication: April 2024 34 MANAGING INFANT COLIC AND CONSTIPATION – WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? THIS IS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY Pre-learning reflection Please take a moment to answer these pre-learning questions. Once completed, click ‘next step’ below to start this module. These answers will be logged on your CPD certificate which will be emailed to you on completion as evidence of your learning. How many parents do you see who are What percentage of breastfeeding What approaches would you advise 1 2 worried about their baby’s constant mothers do you think stops parents to try to alleviate their baby’s 3 crying, gastrointestinal discomfort or breastfeeding due to these issues? (a) colic or (b) functional constipation? 4 infrequent/hard stools? What information would you give to How often are these approaches 5 6 What percentage of these babies do a parent to explain (a) colic and (b) successful? 7 you ultimately diagnose with (a) colic functional constipation? 8 and/or (b) functional constipation? 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Date of Publication: April 2024 34 MANAGING INFANT COLIC AND CONSTIPATION – WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? THIS IS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ONLY Colic and constipation are common in babies Colic (Box 1) and functional constipation (Box 2) are common, 1 BOX 1: Colic1 2 self-limiting functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs*) that 3 afflict many infants under the age of 6 months. Definition (Rome IV criteria): Infant below 5 months of age 4 Colic – While reported prevalence figures for colic have Recurrent and prolonged periods of crying/fussing/irritability 5 6 historically varied widely (from between 2 and 73% of infants1), a that occur without obvious cause and which cannot be 7 prevented/resolved 8 study using the most recent Rome IV criteria for colic2 reported a prevalence of 9.3%.3 Colic occurs similarly in breastfed and No evidence of failure to thrive/fever/illness 9 10 formula-fed babies, and usually resolves by 5 to 6 months.1 Additional signs: 11 Crying (mostly in late afternoon/evening) 12 Constipation – Functional constipation occurs in around 15% Drawing knees to abdomen/arching back during crying 13 of all infants.3-5 Although rare in exclusively breastfed babies, Fist clenching 14 15 once babies are 6 weeks old, they pass stools less often,6,7 which 16 parents might mistake for constipation. In formula-fed babies, BOX 2: Constipation8 17 functional constipation can arise from time to time. It can 18 continue throughout childhood as a child’s diet becomes more Definition (child