Baby colic
| Colic | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A crying newborn | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Pediatrics |
| ICD-10 | R10.4 |
| ICD-9-CM | 789.7 |
| MedlinePlus | 000978 |
| eMedicine | ped/434 |
| Patient UK | Baby colic |
| MeSH | D003085 |
Baby colic, also known as infantile colic, is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three weeks in an otherwise healthy child. Often crying occurs in the evening. It typically does not result in long term problems. The crying can cause frustration for the parents, depression following delivery, excess visits to the doctor, and child abuse.
The cause of colic is unknown. Some believe it is due to gastrointestinal discomfort like intestinal cramping. Diagnosis requires ruling out other possible causes. Concerning findings include a fever, poor activity, or a swollen abdomen. Fewer than 5% of infants with excess crying have an underlying organic disease.
Treatment is generally conservative, with little to no role for either medications or alternative therapies. Extra support for the parents may be useful. Tentative evidence supports certain probiotics for the baby and a low-allergen diet by the mother in those who are breastfed.Hydrolyzed formula may be useful in those who are bottlefeed.
Colic affects 10–40% of children. It is most common at six weeks of age and typically goes away by six months of age. It rarely lasts up to one year of age. It occurs at the same rate in boys and in girls. The first detailed medical description of the problem occurred in 1954.
Colic is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week for a three-week duration in an otherwise healthy child between the ages of two weeks and four months. By contrast, infants normally cry an average of just over two hours a day, with the duration peaking at six weeks. With colic, periods of crying most commonly happen in the evening and for no obvious reason. Associated symptoms may include legs pulled up to the stomach, a flushed face, clenched hands, and a wrinkled brow. The cry is often high pitched (piercing).
An infant with colic may affect family stability and be a cause of short-term anxiety or depression in the father and mother. It may also contribute to exhaustion and stress in the parents.
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Wikipedia