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Is sensory processing an issue for infants with colic?

Tracy Harb1, Nadine Frederiksen2, Rebecca J Hill1

  • 1Children's Nutrition Research Centre, UQ Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia.

Infant Behavior & Development
|May 31, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Infant colic may not be significantly linked to sensory processing issues. While atypical sensory responses were common in colicky infants, few direct associations with behaviors like sleep or feeding were found.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Infant Development
  • Sensory Processing

Background:

  • Infant colic is a common condition affecting newborns, characterized by excessive crying and fussing.
  • The etiology of colic is multifactorial, with various factors proposed to contribute to its development.
  • Sensory processing and its potential role in infant behavior, including colic, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between sensory processing, sleep, and feeding behaviors in infants diagnosed with colic.
  • To assess sensory functioning in infants under four months of age experiencing colic.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Dunn's Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile™ and a modified Barr Baby Day Diary©.
  • Assessed 44 breastfed infants under four months of age who met Wessel's criteria for colic.
  • Analyzed data for associations between sensory processing quadrants and infant behaviors.

Main Results:

  • 77% of colicky infants exhibited atypical sensory processing patterns.
  • Significant correlations were found between sensory seeking behaviors and increased sleep duration (r=0.31, p=0.04).
  • Infants with atypical sensory responses slept significantly more than those with typical responses (mean difference=-67.8 min/day, p=0.04).

Conclusions:

  • Limited associations were found between infant behaviors and sensory functioning in this cohort.
  • Sensory functioning may not be a primary driver of infant colic.
  • Further research with validated tools is needed to clarify the role of sensory processing in infant colic.
Abstract

Keywords:
Infant colicInfant sensory profile 2Infant toddler sensory profileSensory functioningSensory processing

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