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Colic, Pediatric

Cori Green, MD, MSc Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Crying is considered a normal part of human behavior and is a baby’s most effective form of communication. However, when crying is perceived to be in excess than what is expected, it...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Obtain a detailed history about the crying including the frequency, intensity, time of day, duration, the infant’s behavior around the crying episode, and whether there is a common tr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

The most important and effective treatment is for health care providers to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation and to provide reassurance. Parents of a colicky infant...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • It is important to keep in close touch with parents of an excessively fussy baby. Telephone contact every 2 to 3 days is essential until improve...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brazelton TB. Crying in infancy. Pediatrics.  1962;29(4):579–588. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Harb T, Matsuyama M, David M, et al. Infant colic—what works: a systematic revi...

CODES

ICD9

  • 789.7 Colic

  • 780.92 Excessive crying of infant (baby)

ICD10

  • R10.83 Colic

  • R68.11 Excessive crying of infant (baby)

SNOMED

  • 35363006 Infantile colic (finding)

  • 95629002 Excessive crying of newborn (find...

FAQ

  • Q: What is colic?

  • A: Excessive crying in an infant for which no organic etiology is identified. Crying usually is for at least 3 hours a day, for 3 days a week, for a minimum of 3 weeks.

  • Q: Why do c...

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