children s health issues
Colic
Introduction
Colic refers to a specific pattern of excessive, intense Crying and fussing that occurs without any apparent reason (for example, hunger, illness, or injury) in otherwise healthy infants. Colic typically begins within the first month of life, is worst when the infant is about 6 weeks of age, and ends, often rather suddenly, by 3 to 4 months of age. Typically, doctors consider intense, unexplained crying and fussing to be colic when it lasts more than 3 hours a day and more than 3 days a week for more than 3 weeks. However, many doctors also consider sudden, severe, unexplained crying that lasts less than 3 hours a day for most days of a week to be colic. The crying associated with colic typically Is loud, piercing, and constant Has no identifiable cause Occurs at about the same time of day or night Continues for hours for no apparent reason Is separated by intervals when the infant acts normally 