Infantile colic

What it is

Infantile colic is a pattern of crying in a well infant, described at around 2 months of age. Colicky crying is often described as paroxysmal, and it may be characterized by facial grimacing, leg flexion and passing flatus.

How it presents

The crying comes in daily paroxysms of continuous crying for 3 to 5 hours, starting after 6 to 8 pm, with the same facial grimacing, leg flexion and passing flatus. On examination no abnormality is detected apart from mild abdominal distension.

Against hunger, a wet diaper, fussiness and overfeeding, colic is the most likely cause of that crying in a 2-month-old infant.