Infantile colic: A critical appraisal of the literature from an osteopathic perspective

The term infantile colic though often used is poorly understood. This common affliction of early infancy, in which crying is the primary symptom, has been the subject of numerous publications over many decades. This appraisal of the literature reveals that lack of consensus on the definition of colic poses difficulties when assessing the outcome and validity of research. In addition, the numerous hypotheses, reviewed here, on the precise cause of infantile colic have resulted in various approaches to treatment and no clear strategy for management. The possibility that mechanical factors play a role in the aetiology of colic underlies the osteopathic approach to treatment which, despite anecdotal success, is poorly documented. This article is designed to appraise osteopaths with an overview of the field to better inform their practice.