Abstract
Infantile colic is a self-limiting condition characterized by recurrent, prolonged periods of intense crying in an inconsolable infant. The etiology is unknown although many hypotheses have been proposed. Colic can be very frustrating for parents to deal with, thus it is important to provide reassurance and resources. Also, there are therapeutic interventions available that have shown some efficacy in reducing the symptoms of colic, but more evidence is needed to support their use.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Kvitvaer
BG
Miller
J
Newell
D.
Improving our understanding of the colicky infant: a prospective observational study . J Clin Nurs . 2011 ;21 :63 -69 .
2.
Johnson
JD
Cocker
K
Chang
E.
Infantile colic: recognition and treatment . Am Fam Physician . 2015 ;92 :577 -582 .
3.
Vandenplas
Y
Alarcon
P
Alliet
P
. Algorithms for managing infant constipation, colic, regurgitation and cow’s milk allergy in formula-fed infants . Acta Paediatr . 2015 ;104 :449 -457 .
4.
Steutel
NF
Benninga
MA
Langendam
MW
de Kruijff
I
Tabbers
MM.
Reporting outcome measures in trials of infant colic . J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr . 2014 ;59 :341 -346 .
5.
Wessel
MA
Cobb
JC
Jackson
EB
Harris
GS
Jr
Detwiler
AC.
Paroxysmal fussing in infancy, sometimes called colic . Pediatrics . 1954 ;14 :421 -435 .
6.
Illingsworth
RS.
Three months’ colic . Arch Dis Child . 1954 ;29 :165 -174 .
7.Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin . Management of infantile colic . BMJ . 2013 ;347 :f4102 .
8.
Waddell
L.
Management of infantile colic: an update . J Fam Health Care . 2013 ;23 (3 ): 17 -22 .
9.
de Weerth
C
Fuentes
S
Puylaert
P
de Vos
WM
. Intestinal microbiota of infants with colic: development and specific signatures . Pediatrics . 2013 ;131 :e550 -e558 .
10.
Savino
F
Ceratto
S
Poggi
E
Cartosio
ME
Cordero
di
Montezemolo
L
Giannattasio
A.
Preventive effects of oral probiotic on infantile colic: a prospective, randomised, blinded, controlled trial using Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 . Benef Microbes . 2015 ;6 :245 -251 .
11.
Chau
K
Lau
E
Greenberg
S
. Probiotics for infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 . J Pediatr . 2015 ;166 :74 -78 .
12.
Iacovou
M
Ralston
R
Muir
J
Walker
KZ
Truby
H.
Dietary management of infantile colic: a systematic review . Matern Child Health J . 2012 ;16 :1319 -1331 .
13.
Perry
R
Hunt
K
Ernst
E.
Nutritional supplements and other complementary medicines for infantile colic: a systematic review . Pediatrics . 2011 ;127 :720 -733 .