The Effect of Fennel on Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The colicky infants generally present around 6–8 weeks postpartum then then is suddenly relieved by 3-4 months. A few studies assessed the effect of fennel on colicky infants. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess whether fennel is effective on infantile colic.

Two independent authors separately searched the articles on the national (Irandoc, Magiran, Medlib, SID, and Barakatkns), and the international databases (Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochran Central Register of Controlled Trials) without any time limitation since the inception to August 2019. The keywords of the search were: (Colic) AND (Foeniculum OR Fennel OR Foeniculum vulgare) AND (Infant OR Children OR Baby).

Four studies were conducted to assess the impact of fennel on the infantile colic. A Foeniculum Vulgarein in combination with other herbal medicines was found to be more effective than control group on crying time on infantile colic (SMD= O.708; 95% CI= -0.951 to -0.465; P<0.001). Heterogeneity was 0% and non-significant. According to one study, in the 3rd and 7th days of the treatment in comparison with the previous times, both the fennel group (P = 0.004, P=0.05, respectively), and the gripe water group (P = 0.037, P=0.002, respectively) indicate the statistically significant difference. Moreover, none of the infants cried for more than 2 hours in the two groups. After treatment, an insignificant difference between the two groups (fennel and gripe water groups) was observed.

Fennel alone or in combination with other herbal medicine is effective on infantile colic. Concerning the high heterogeneity, there is a need of future trials to reach a certain conclusion.