Infant Colic Flashcards
What age does colic occur at?
Occurs at 2-16 weeks of age and is uncommon beyond 4 months of age.
If there’s inconsolable crying after 5 months, it’s something else
It’s a diagnosis of exclusion– diagnosis when we can’t come up with any other explanations
What are organic causes of colic?
Intolerance to carbs Gas (may be caused by improper feeding techniques), GERD Allergy Immature CNS Altered intestinal flora
Describe the 2 historical criteria for diagnosing colic
Rome IV criteria: Infant is <5months, lots of crying without obvious cause, no failure to thrive, fever or illness
Wessel rule of three: unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy infant that lasts 3 hours a day for 3 days a week for 3 weeks straight
What are red flags that warrant referral for colic?
Single cry episode lasts >3 hours
Occurs in infants <2 weeks or >16 weeks old
Accompanies a fever
Associated with weight gain or failure to thrive
Signs of dehydration or change in behaviour
Caregiver is afraid they might hurt the baby or has tried to soothe the baby for 3 days with no success
What dietary changes can be made to treat colic?
Continue breastfeeding
Eliminate common aggravators from diet
Switch to hypoallergenic, soy-protein based or lactose-reduced formulas, or start lactose supplementation
If formulas changes are made, they should not be pursued if symptoms don’t improve after a week. Frequent formula changes not recommended.
What are pharmacologic treatments for colic?
Probiotics and carbohydrates are effective
Carminatives are ineffective, but safe to use if parents want to
