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Relation between infantile colic and asthma/atopy: a prospective study in an unselected population

J A Castro-Rodríguez1, D A Stern, M Halonen

  • 1Arizona Respiratory Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Pediatrics
|October 3, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Infantile colic in infants does not increase the risk of developing allergies or asthma later in childhood. This prospective study found no link between colic and atopy, allergic rhinitis, or wheezing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Infantile colic is a common condition in newborns, affecting up to 20% of infants.
  • Previous studies have suggested a possible link between infantile colic and the later development of allergic diseases.
  • However, robust evidence supporting this association is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether a history of infantile colic is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma and/or atopy in children.
  • To examine the relationship between infantile colic and various markers of allergic disease throughout childhood.

Main Methods:

  • A large, prospective study utilizing data from an unselected population of 983 children enrolled at birth.
  • Infantile colic and feeding methods were recorded at the 2-month well-infant visit.
  • Outcomes including atopy markers (serum IgE, skin prick tests), allergic rhinitis, asthma, wheezing, and peak flow variability were assessed up to age 11.

Main Results:

  • Ninety children (9.2%) experienced infantile colic, with similar prevalence in breastfed and formula-fed infants.
  • No significant association was found between infantile colic and markers of atopy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, wheezing, or peak flow variability at any assessed age.
  • The prevalence of colic did not differ based on feeding method.

Conclusions:

  • The study findings do not support the hypothesis that infantile colic increases the risk of subsequent allergic disease or atopy.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that infantile colic is a predictor of allergic conditions in childhood.
  • Further research may be warranted to explore other potential factors influencing allergic disease development.
Abstract

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