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Colic or Infant Reflux?
So, they tell you your screaming baby has colic. Unfortunately, colic is often diagnosed when the actual issue is reflux. Here is how you can tell the difference.
COLIC:
What is colic?
Colic is a condition affecting 10-30% of all infants. It can start from the age of two to four weeks, peaking at around six weeks, and can last up to three months, sometimes longer. It is characterised by frequent crying episodes, lasting three hours or more, for three days or more per week. It is uncontrollable crying by a baby that is well-fed and otherwise healthy. It is classified as the extreme end of normal crying behaviour.
What causes colic?
While there has been much suggestion in the past that colic is related to the digestive system and gastrointestinal issues, this has been inconclusive. Current research suggests that a baby may have an inability to process all the stimuli a newborn is presented with; therefore, this baby may have bouts of crying as a way of communicating his need for reassurance. A baby with colic can be bothered by troublesome abdominal gas due to the fact that he or she is inhaling so much air with his or her extended periods of inconsolable crying.
What are the symptoms of colic?
Crying, crying, crying!
Trying to lift the head up
Pained facial expressions
Reddened face
Drawing of the knees up to the tummy
Passing wind (burping and farting)
Sleep disturbances
A colicky baby will cry for extended periods of time, usually worsened as darkness descends. The baby may appear to be in pain, but infant colic is NOT a painful condition. Trapped gas is painful though, and unfortunately, colicky babies can have problems with this due to the swallowed air they take in with the inconsolable crying.
REFLUX:
What is reflux?
Infant reflux is a condition affecting 50-65% of infants and up to 85% of premature infants. It can start at birth, peaks around four months and usually subsides by twelve months of age. Less than 5% of infants carry reflux into their childhood. Reflux essentially means 'backflow'. It occurs when gastric juices or small amounts of foods from the stomach flow back into the esophagus and into the mouth. In an infant, it is commonly characterised by spitting up or vomiting, although this is not always the case (REFER TO: Silent Reflux)
What causes infant reflux?
Essentially, infant reflux is caused due to the immaturity of the digestive structures. The lower esophageal sphincter valve at the top of the infant's stomach is immature and unreliable, hence allowing acidic fluid from the stomach to regurgitate into the esophagus. This causes the painful burning sensation and vomiting.
Gastro-esophageal reflux causes vomiting, feeding difficulties (either refusing feeds or constant "comfort" feeding), throaty noises, constant swallowing, wet burps, etc.
What are the symptoms of reflux?
Common symptoms of reflux:
Crying in pain
Discomfort when feeding (arching, screaming, refusal, turning away)
Poor weight gain
Fussiness
Runny nose
Frequent vomiting or spitting up
Foul breath (smells acidic)
Chronic cough
poor sleep habits, frequent waking
wet burps
hiccups
Comfort feeding- constant feeding to alleviate pain
Food intolerances
Hoarse voice, soar throat
bad breath
choking
Less common:
Aspiration
Recurrent pneumonias
ear/nose/throat/sinus infections
Colic is NOT a digestive system disorder--reflux is!
Colic can MIMIC symptoms of reflux, but it is not related to feeding, food allergies, or inflammation of the intestines/gut.
It IS hard to figure out what is causing symptoms in an infant. Keep a diary of what is happening with your baby: when he or she cries, what he or she does when crying, length of time spent crying, crying or fussing during feeds, etc. Use this to explain your baby's distress when you see the doctor. YOU are the voice for your baby, so please seek help if you suspect there is problem!
Please visit our forums for additional information and support on this topic!
Written by: TwinMum, Sarah
Read more about Reflux Information:
Asthma and Infant Reflux / GERD - A Definite Connection,
Conditions that Mimic Infant Reflux,
Reflux and Dental Problems,
Reflux and Speech,
Twins with Infant reflux,
Can Infections be Caused by Reflux?
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