Efficacy of Melatonin in Treatment of Infantile Colic in Infants Presenting to CMH Quetta OPD

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of melatonin in treatment of infantile colic presenting to a tertiary care hospital or CMH Quetta.

Methodology: This prospective single group interventional study was conducted at Pediatrics department of Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan from October 2024 to April 2025 after taking parental informed consent and ethical approval from institution. A total of 146 infants with colic were included, selected through non-probability consecutive sampling technique. All the infants were given oral melatonin for five days and one week after completion of therapy infants were assessed for improvement in the colic severity. Efficacy was considered to be established in case of achievement of complete resolution of colic. Analysis of data was performed through SPSS  version 22.

Results: In this study, 146 infants were included. Median age was 4.00 (2.00) months. There were 77 (52.70%) male and 69 (47.30%) female infants. Median weight was 9.00 (3.00) kg. A total of 65 (44.50%) infants were receiving breast feeding, 52 (35.60%) infants were receiving formula milk feeding and 29 (19.90%) infants were receiving cow milk. Complete improvement/efficacy was achieved in 80 (54.80%) infants, partial improvement was observed in 43 (29.50%) infants while 23 (15.80%) infants had no improvement.

Conclusion: Melatonin is an effective intervention in the management of infantile colic. It resulted in complete recovery in 54.80% of the infants and partial improvement in 29.50% of the infants with colic.