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Effectiveness of an intervention for colic.
Maureen R Keefe1, Marie L Lobo, Ann Froese-Fretz
1College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 South 2000 East, Rm. 410, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Clinical Pediatrics
|March 11, 2006
Summary
A home-based intervention significantly reduced daily crying time in infants with colic by 1.7 hours. This study suggests infant colic is a behavioral pattern responsive to environmental changes and structured care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Infant irritability and colic are common concerns for parents.
- Colic is often viewed as a behavioral pattern influenced by environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based intervention program for infant irritability or colic.
- To determine if structured cue-based care can modify infant crying behavior.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 121 full-term infants (2-6 weeks old) diagnosed with irritability or colic.
- Infants were randomized into two groups: routine care (control) and a home-based intervention program.
- A third group (n=43) received a post-test-only assessment.
Main Results:
- The intervention group experienced a significant reduction in daily crying time, averaging 1.7 hours less than the control group (p=0.02).
- The study demonstrated a statistically significant difference in crying duration between the intervention and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Home-based, structured cue-based care interventions are effective in reducing crying time in infants with colic.
- Infant colic can be understood as a modifiable behavioral pattern responsive to environmental interventions.