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Baby colicInfant colic (also known as baby colic and three month colic) is a condition in which an otherwise healthy babycries or screams frequently and for extended periods, without any discernable reason. The condition typically appears within the first few weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is four months old. It is more common in bottle-fedbabies, but also occurs in breast-fedchildren. The crying frequently occurs during a specific period of the day, often in the early evening. Since the cause is not conclusively established (see below) and the amount of crying differs between children, there is no universal agreement on the definition of colic. Having ruled out other causes of crying, a common rule of thumb is to consider a baby "colicky" if it cries intensely more than three days a week, for more than three hours, for more than three weeks in a month.
CausesThere is no generally accepted explanation for colic. Traditionally, colic was ascribed to abdominal pain resulting from trapped gas in the digestive system. This theory is by no means discredited, and some recent scientific evidence seems to support it but it is no longer universally accepted as the primary cause. Some doctors claim that it is a combination of a baby's sensitive temperament, the environment and his immature nervous system, which make him cry easily and then not being able to control it, while others believe that it originates in problems in the baby's digestive system, specifically because of the build up of gas which can not be released. New studies at the Colic Clinic at Brown University demonstrate that nearly half of babies with colic have mild gastroesophageal reflux. It is also possible that some cases may be the result of lactose intolerance.[1] Recent research raises a number of hypotheses including a link to the onset of melatoninproduction by the pituitary glandwhich does not begin until 12 weeks of age (about the time colic seems to disappear)[2], the effect of circadian rhythms[3]or smokingand increased stresslevels of the prenatal mother in the third trimester[4]. TreatmentThere is presently no generally accepted medical treatment for colic, and the approach taken by medical professionals varies substantially from country to country and indeed from doctor to doctor. Many believe that the condition is presently untreatable, and is best left to run its course. Other doctors prescribe simethicone, which treats trapped gas; some parents report that this is effective, but for many others it is not. One study showed a moderate success when infants with colic were treated with dicyclomine, an anti-spasmotic drug commonly found in some anti-diarrheal medications.[5]However, further studies are warranted before its use can be approved. There is general agreement that soothing measures, such as pacifiersand rocking, are often effective in calming the baby during crying periods. Various tactics, such as changes in diet or routine, an increase in fresh air or certain herbal teas, are popularly believed to cure colic. While some of these may help in some cases, none are universally effective. The widespread belief in them is thought to result at least partly from the suddenness with which colic naturally resolves itself: many parents keep trying different approaches until the colic suddenly stops, at which point they presume the last thing they tried to be the cure. Effect on the FamilyColic can place an enormous strain on parentsand other family members. The feeling that they are not providing something their child desperately wants or needs can induce stress, depression, feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem. If crying is prevalent during nighttime hours then these problems can be aggravated by the resulting sleep deprivationor interruption to sleep patterns; exhaustionmay also result. Where people live in dense housing such as apartment blocks, persistent crying can also strain relationships with neighbours. The stress on parents is often compounded by well-meaning but misguided people who believe that the parents must be doing something wrong. This attitude is quite common among the childless, and also occurs in people who have raised colic-free children themselves. Even those whose own children have suffered from colic and who found a "cure" (see above), can be reluctant to believe that their own suggested approach does not work for somebody else. In some areas, support groupshave been set up for parents of children with colic. External links
nl:Koliekpijn sv:Kolik Categories: Pediatrics
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