Colic means frequent symptom of abdominal pain, presumably of intestinal origin and severe crying associated with it. It usually occurs in infants under 3 months of age. A characteristic colic attack usually begins suddenly, cry is loud and continuous and persisits for several hours. Face of baby is flushed, abdomen is distended and tense, legs are drawn up on abdomen and feet are cold and hands are clenched.
Attack is terminated when baby is exhausted or with passage of faeces or flatus.
Recurrent attacks commonly occur in late afternoon or evening. Causes Certain infants are susceptible to colic. Cause is usually not apparent but may be associated with hunger, swallowed air, overfeeding, and foods with high carbohydrate content. It is also seen in infants with cow milk allergy. Careful physical examination of baby is required to eliminate the possibility of hair in eye, ear infection, renal problems, and surgical condition like intususception and strangulated hernia.