pediatrics
Colic
Introduction
Colic is frequent and extended periods of crying for no discernible reason in an otherwise healthy infant. Although the termcolicsuggests an intestinal origin, etiology is unknown. Colic typically appears within the first month of life, peaks at about age 6 weeks, and reliably and spontaneously ends by age 3 to 4 months. Paroxysms of crying and fussiness often occur at about the same time of day or night and continue for hours for no apparent reason. A few infants cry almost incessantly. Excessive crying may cause aerophagia, which results in flatulence and abdominal distention. Typically, colicky infants eat and gain weight well, although vigorous nonnutritive sucking may suggest excessive hunger. Colic probably has no relation to development of an insistent, impatient personality. 