Colic in children
What is colic?
Colic is the term used to describe infants who cry intensely for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for more than three weeks in the first three months of life, without apparent reason.
The causes of colic are not understood. Colic usually (in more than 60% of cases) disappears after the baby is three or four months old, while 90% of cases resolve in the first nine months.
The crying may be more intense and higher pitched than normal, and there may be associated increases in muscle tone. As the infant is difficult to soothe, it is a very challenging time for parents, the child as well as the treating doctor.
The condition is not specific to gender, duration of pregnancy, method of feeding (breast or bottle) or birth order of the child (whether the child is the first, second or subsequent child in the family). It also does not have an effect on long-term intelligence, potential for developing other conditions or for other impairments.
How can colic be treated?
Very little treatment or medication is available for this condition. Gripe water, sedatives or other medication are not effective.
There is, however, some evidence (although not wholly conclusive) that the following treatments have value: switching the baby's formula feed to a soy bean type of milk or, in the case of breast-fed babies, for the mother to change to a diet that has less risk to develop allergies (where wheat, milk, nuts and eggs are reduced or cut out).
Other attempts at treatment include baby massage, herbal remedies and changes in pacifier or bottle teats, although these do not have any proven value.
It is important for mothers (and fathers) to take turns attending to the colicky infant or to arrange for someone else to look after the baby for a few hours. This will enable the parent(s) to take a break or to catch up on sleep.
Symptoms of colic
Parents should consult a doctor or clinic if:
1. the baby cries for more than two hours
2. the crying is associated with fever
3. the crying could be the result of a suspected fall
4. the parent is concerned that he/she will hurt the baby (shaken baby syndrome is associated with colic)
5. the baby refuses to eat or drink, is lethargic or does not seem to respond to attention
6. the baby has diarrhoea, is vomiting or has blood in his/her stools
7. the baby does not gain weight.
References
http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html
Also see Gastroenteritis