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World J Clin Pediatr. Mar 9, 2026; 15(1): 111066
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.111066
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.111066
Effectiveness of the extensively hydrolyzed formulas in the management of infantile colic: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Konstantinos Dodos, Tsampika-Vasileia Kalamara, Dorothea Kapoukranidou, Laboratory of Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Kentrikí Makedonía, Greece
Stylianos Xinias, Antigoni Mavroudi, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Kentrikí Makedonía, Greece
Antigoni Sarantaki, Athina Diamanti, Department of Midwifery, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens 12243, Attikí, Greece
Vasiliki E Georgakopoulou, Department of Pathophysiology, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
Author contributions: Dodos K and Kalamara TV conceived and designed the study, conducted the literature search, extracted and analyzed the data, and wrote the initial draft of the manuscript; Xinias S and Mavroudi A contributed to the interpretation of clinical findings and provided pediatric expertise; Kapoukranidou D, Sarantaki A, and Diamanti A assisted with literature screening, data organization, and methodological review; Georgakopoulou VE supervised the entire project, provided critical revisions, and ensured the accuracy and integrity of the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Vasiliki E Georgakopoulou, MD, Department of Pathophysiology, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17 Agiou Toma Street, Athens 11527, Greece. vaso_georgakopoulou@hotmail.com
Received: June 23, 2025
Revised: August 8, 2025
Accepted: October 30, 2025
Published online: March 9, 2026
Processing time: 257 Days and 14.3 Hours
Revised: August 8, 2025
Accepted: October 30, 2025
Published online: March 9, 2026
Processing time: 257 Days and 14.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Infantile colic is a distressing yet common condition in early infancy. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to specifically evaluate the role of extensively hydrolyzed formulas (eHF) in its dietary management. Synthesizing data from six randomized controlled trials, we found that eHF significantly reduces crying duration and improves colic-related symptoms compared to standard formula or pharmacologic interventions. These findings support eHF as an effective and safe dietary option for formula-fed infants with colic, especially in cases where cow's milk protein sensitivity is suspected.