Is Infantile Colic an Early Form of Migraine?

In a case-control study, migraine was significantly associated with a history of infantile colic.

The etiology of infantile colic is uncertain. An association between colic and migraine has been proposed but not well studied. Investigators examined this association in a multicenter European case-control study of 208 consecutive children (age range, 6–18 years) diagnosed with migraine headache (66 with aura), 120 children with tension headache, and 471 controls from the same hospitals.

Infantile colic was ascertained on the basis of parent responses to a criteria-based structured interview and physician-recorded diagnosis in the child's mandatory health booklet. The prevalence of colic was 72% in children with migraine (70% with aura and 74% without aura), 33% in those with tension headaches, and 27% in controls. Odds ratios for infantile…

Reviewing Authors

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Amy Gelfand, MD