gutsandgrowth

Home | About Jay Hochman -Pediatric Gastroenterology Blog | Archives

Is Infantile Colic a Biorhythm Disorder?

August 24, 2023 6:55 am

TU Egeli et al. JPGN 2023; 77: 171-177. A New Perspective on the Pathogenesis of Infantile Colic: Is Infantile Colic a Biorhythm Disorder?

In this prospective cohort with a colic group (n=46) and a control group (n=49), the key findings:

“In the melatonin analysis, the difference between day and night levels was significant in the control group, indicating an established circadian rhythm (P = 0.014). In the colic group, there was no day-night difference (P = 0.216) in melatonin, but serotonin levels were higher at night.”
“Day-night variability of H3f3b mRNA levels between the groups was significant, indicating circadian rhythm disturbance in the colic group compared to the control group (P = 0.003).”

The authors note that migraine “has recently been discovered as one of the disease related to biorhythm regulation.” For colic, the authors propose that increases in serotonin, which can cause intestinal distress, contribute to colic, particularly when this is unopposed by increases in melatonin. “Serotonin-melatonin counterbalancing system in the gastrointestinal system generally develops around 3 monhts, and serotonin causes painful intestinal cramps and crying in the evening.”

H3f3b is “expressed in peripheral buccal tissue and is thought to reflect the activity of the central clock.”

My take: If this study is confirmed by others, it could lead to diagnostic testing for colic. Perhaps, then reflux would not be blamed for causing screaming babies. Though, I doubt any effective treatments would be available for biorhythm disturbances in this age group due to safety concerns.

Related blog posts: