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Infantile colic

American Family Physician
|September 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Infant colic, characterized by excessive crying, affects 10-20% of babies. Interventions like dietary changes and increased physical contact can be effective, with no impact on normal infant development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Colic is a common condition in infants, affecting 10-20% of newborns.
  • It is defined as prolonged crying for at least three hours daily, occurring more than three days a week.
  • Potential contributing factors include food allergies, parental factors, and environmental influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the definition, prevalence, and potential causes of infant colic.
  • To summarize effective management strategies for colic.
  • To confirm the long-term impact of colic on infant development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on infant colic.
  • Analysis of implicated factors such as diet, parental behavior, and medication.
  • Evaluation of treatment outcomes including dietary modification, pharmacotherapy, and physical contact.

Main Results:

  • Colic affects 10-20% of infants in the first 3-4 months.
  • Identified potential causes include food allergy, parental attitudes, flatulence, maternal medication, and smoking.
  • Dietary changes, medication, and increased physical contact show positive results.

Conclusions:

  • Infant colic is a common, self-limiting condition.
  • Several factors are implicated, and various interventions can provide relief.
  • Colic does not adversely affect normal infant growth and development.

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