Prenatal maternal risk factors for infantile colic.

AIM: To examine maternal prenatal risk factors for infantile colic (IC).

METHODS: Mothers were asked to complete a standard pre-coded questionnaire form. Inclusion in the study consisted of four criteria. The case group comprised healthy children with infantile colic according to Wessel's definition. The control group comprised healthy children with no history of IC. Prenatal period characteristics of mothers were examined to determine associations with IC.

RESULTS: Children with mothers who had prophylactic iron supplementation therapy during pregnancy suffered more from IC. Postpartum depression was found to be more frequent in the case group than in the control group. Gynaecological history, including suffering from migraine, presence of any premenstrual symptoms, dysmenorrhea and high pre-pregnancy body mass index, was associated with development of IC.

CONCLUSION: Pre-gestational gynaecological complaints and pregnancy characteristics may point to IC. These characteristics should be investigated and families should be informed.