INFANTILE COLIC

Overview and Facts

Infantile colic is a harmless condition wherein a baby has paroxysms of inconsolable weeping for more than three hours every day, three days every week, and for more than three weeks. It affects 10% to 40% of newborns globally, peaks at roughly six weeks, and resolves by three to six months of age. The incidence is the same for both sexes, and there is no association with socioeconomic position, gestational age, and feeding method.

Furthermore, the cause of infantile colic is unknown, but possible explanations include changes in nicotine replacement therapy or maternal smoking, poor feeding technique, increased serotonin secretion, inflammation or gastrointestinal immaturity, intolerance to lactose or milk protein, and fecal microflora.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of infantile colic include the following:

  • Skin discolorations on the face, like blushing or flushing
  • Severe fussiness, even after the sobbing has subsided
  • Crying for no obvious cause, as opposed to crying to convey hunger or a diaper change
  • Intense sobbing, which might appear to be yelling or an expression of anguish

Symptoms may improve if the baby passes gas. Gas is most likely the consequence of air being ingested during prolonged weeping.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your baby’s health expert will do a thorough physical exam to determine potential reasons for your baby’s pain. The following will be covered in the tests for infantile colic:

  • Taking measurements of your baby’s head circumference, weight, and height
  • Listening to the noises of the abdomen, lungs, and heart
  • evaluating a person’s response to movement or touch
  • Examine for redness, irritation, or other indications of allergies or infection

X-rays, lab tests, and other diagnostic procedures aren’t normally required, but in uncertain situations, they may assist in ruling out other probable reasons.

TREATMENT

There is no medication to alleviate infantile colic. However, there are certain things you can do to assist:

  • Check to see whether your baby has a clean diaper or is hungry.
  • Burp your infant more frequently during feedings.
  • Rock or walk the infant.
  • Sing or speak to your child.
  • Provide the infant with a pacifier.
  • Take a stroller journey with the infant.
  • Take slow, deep breaths while holding your infant close to your body.

Several newborns require less stimulation than others. Babies 2 months and younger might benefit from being swaddled and sleeping on their backs in a crib with extremely dark or dim lighting.

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