UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA BARATON.

SCHOOL OF NURSING.

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING.

TITLE;- COLIC.

AN ASSIGNMENT DONE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE; NRSG338;

CHILD HEALTH NURSING.

NAME;- HARRISON KEBEYA.

ID;- SKEBHA2011.

INSTRUCTOR;- MRS MARY NYAGISERA MOKEIRA.

 COLIC.

Refers to a condition that is characterized by loud, intense, inconsolable crying

while drawing up of the legs up to the abdomen that occurs for more than 3
hours in a day for at least 3 weeks in an infant of 2 weeks to 3 months in a rather
healthy and well cared for baby.

It occurs in a ratio of 1 in 5 infants.

Causes.

The cause for colic is unknown. But it's just thought to be caused by the following
factors;-

1. Too rapid feeding.

2. Overeating.

3. Swallowing excessive air.

4. Improper feeding technique, especially in positioning and burping.

5. Emotions, stress or tension between the parent and child. Or the family
members.

6. Allergy to cow's milk or intolerance to lactose in milk.

7. Smoking parents in presence of the baby.

8. Infant acid reflux.

9.infantile migraine.
Onset and pathophysiology.

Normally, babies do cry, most especially 6-8 weeks babies cry for 2-3 hours in a
day.

In colic babies, the cry is sudden for longer periods with no clear reason and no
amount of consolation can help make them better or bring them any relief.

Colic starts within the first few weeks of life and may peak when the baby is about
6 weeks but decline significantly after 3-4 Months.

Onset of crying starts mostly in the evening or late afternoon.

Colic occurs in equal rate in males and females.

Colic has no long term effects and the baby with colic feeds normally.

Signs and symptoms of colic.

1. Intense or inconsolable crying that may seem more like crying or an expression
of pain.

2. Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished.

3. Irregular and interrupted sleep that occurs as a result of crying.

4. Flushed face.

5. Crying with clenched fists, stiffened arms and legs, arched back, or tight
stomach.

6. Crying with no reason not because of feeling hungry or need for a diaper
change.

7. Mild fever.

8. Mild headache.
Diagnosis.

1. Comprehensive history taking. Including;- daily events including diet of the

breastfeeding mother, time of the day when attacks occur, relationship of the
attacks to feeding time, presence of specific family members during attacks such
as smoking family member, activities of the mother or usual care given before,
during and after the crying, and characteristics of the cry like duration and
intensity.

2. Physical examination

3. Laboratory tests if an underlying condition is suspected.

Management.

1. Milk free diet should be maintained for a minimum of 5 days to reduce

symptoms if milk sensitivity is suspected.

2. Mother's should be cautioned about some non dairy creamers which may
contain calcium cascinate, a cow's milk protein.

3. The time of beginning to cry for the baby should be determined of if the cause
of colic can't be identified. Associated circumstances should be manipulated for
example the environment around the baby should be calm and friendly. People
around the baby should be few, one or two who are familiar to the baby.

4. Soothing strategies- moving the baby around, playing a soothing sound, using a
pacifier, giving the baby a warm birth, rubbing the babies tummy.

5. Treatment of underlying conditions if any is noted.

Nursing considerations.

1. The mother's welfare should be well taken care of as an intense colicky crying
infant creates an intense emotional impact on parent - child attachment and
family relationships. The parents own anxiety maybe transferred to the infant,
further increasing the tension, irritability and crying. Therefore, parents should be
encouraged to support each other during the colicky period of the baby.

2. Parents should be informed that despite the crying and obvious pain, the infant
is doing well.

3. Parents should be informed that colic does not indicate poor or inadequate
parenting to relieve on the negative feelings of the parents.

4. Parents should be encouraged to talk about their insecurities regarding their

parenting abilities so as to relieve on their anxiety.

Nursing diagnosis.

Impaired comfort related to abdominal pain as evidenced by intense crying and

drawing up of the legs upto the abdomen.

Risk for impaired parenting as evidenced by inconsolable crying for long periods
of time and irregular, interrupted sleep.

Ineffective infant feeding patterns related to poor digestion as evidenced by

lactose intolerance and infant acid reflux and intense crying.

References.

Donna L. Wong ; Whaley and Wong's Essentials of pediatric Nursing (2016).

Fifth edition. Pg 348-349.

Heardman T. Heather and S. Kamitsuru ;- Nursing Diagnoses - definition and

classification 2018-2020. Eleventh edition.