The frequency and associated risk factors of infantile colic in Babol, northern Iran (2016-18)

Infantile colic which can cause nervousness and anxiety in parents by fussing and restlessness in babies. This study was done to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of infantile colic in Babol, the North of IRAN.

This descriptive-analytical study was done on 591 breastfeeding babies (321 females, 270 males) born with birth weight 2500-4000 grams and gestational age ≥37 weeks without any medical problem during 2016-18. They visited in age 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks by neonatologist. On the basis of parents complain and Wesselchr('39')s criteria babies were divided into three groups: Cramp with crying (colicky group), Cramp without crying and normal group. Then possible risk factors of infantile colic have been compared in three groups.

45.5% of babies presented cramp with crying as colic group. Time of restlessness was significantly more than morning during night and afternoon (P<0.05). Colic was higher in infants born by cesarean section (P<0.05), and in the first-born child (P<0.05). However, there was not significant relation with gender, mothers’ education, parents smoking and taking dairy product.

According to this study’s findings, nearly half of infants had the symptoms of colic, which was higher in first children, infants born by cesarean section and during night.