Colic (Baby)
Colic, Infantile Colic, Infant Abdominal Pain
Colic is defined as a common, persistent and prolong crying of the baby with no apparent reason. This is usually exhausting for parents as onset of this crying usually occur in evening. Onset usually occur in 6 week of age and decline after 3-4 months.
Symptoms
Colic usually presents as follows
- Crying which is of extreme intensity feels like an expression of pain.
- No apparent reason of crying could be pin point.
- After crying episode follows by intense fussiness
- Predictable time of episodes of crying.
- Reddish face when crying
- Bodily tension
- Usually feeling of relief after gas passing or bowel movements
Causes
Most of the contributing factor of colic are
- Underdeveloped digestive system of infant
- Imbalance between the healthy and disease causing bacteria in the body
- Allergies
- Overfeeding, underfeeding or rare burping
- Childhood migraines
- Family stress or anxiety
Complications
Complications don’t occur in infants but occur in parents as a result of long term colic. Including
- Early cessation of breastfeeding
- Feeling of guilt and anger
- Elevated risk of post partum depression
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this condition depends complete and detailed general physical examination of patient. Lab tests, blood test and imaging test are not necessary until some underlying disease are thought to be excluded.
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Soothing baby strategies
- Changing in feeding practices
- Trail changes in diet from formula diet to maternal diet.
- Parent self-care to avoid depression.
- New treatment trials would be the administration of probiotics in the baby.