Suck, swallow and breathing coordination in infants with infantile colic

Abstract

BackgroundThere appears to be a perception amongst parents and in popular literature that infantile colic is caused by feeding difficulties. Limited support for this perception is found in scientific literature. Whilst there is scientific evidence that suck, swallow and breathing are key components of successful feeding, these components and the coordination thereof in infants with colic have not been extensively researched. ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to explore the suck, swallow and breathing coordination in infants with infantile colic and compare it with infants without the condition.MethodAn assessment protocol for suck, swallow and breathing coordination was compiled from literature. This protocol was performed on a research group of 50 infants, independently diagnosed with infantile colic, and a control group of 28 infants without the condition. All participants were from two rural towns in the North–West province, South Africa, selected with a snowball selection method and strict selection criteria. The study followed a static comparison group design. ResultsA significant difference in the key components of feeding and the presence of colic in participants of four age categories were found. The correlation between postural control and the presence of infantile colic were sustained in participants from 2–19 weeks old.ConclusionSuck, swallow and breathing were found to be significantly associated with infantile colic. The findings should be investigated further. It appears that speech-language therapists may play an expanding role in infantile colic.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Infants With GERD-Like Symptoms: A New Paradigm

“…Extension/arching patterns Assess if extensor tone predominates, lack of antigravity flexion (hands to midline, hip flexion in supine), arches head and body when being held, and likes to be held upright versus cradle position. Extension patterns are judged as present or absent (21,23,25,28,34).…”

“…Infants with unsettledness/colic were referred to an OT for further evaluation. The clinician recorded the presence (1) or absence (0) of 7 features including: (a) self-calming, (b) ability to soothe, (c) poor sleep, (d) poor state control, (e) extension/posturing, (f) startles, and (g) decreased tolerance of handling (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36). Descriptions of each of these behaviors and associated references are detailed in Table 2.…”

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment vs. Non-colicky Babies

“…Although little researched, symptoms that are commonly associated with colic can be found scattered throughout the literature. These include: (1) asymmetric posture (C-curve) and head preference (5) even while asleep, which may lead to developmental plagio/brachiocephaly; (2) extensor hypertonicity and pseudo-opisthotonic posture (5,6); (3) upper-cervical movement/joint dysfunction, muscular tightness and occipital tenderness (7); (4) high levels of stress and stress arousal (6); (5) breastfeeding difficulties (7)(8)(9)(10); (6) gastro-intestinal disorders such as regurgitation /Ger(d) and intestinal cramps with or without obstipation or dyschesia (11). Taken together the associated symptoms may point to dysregulation of the vestibular and autonomic systems.…”

Clinical Evidence of Vestibular Dysregulation in Colicky Babies Before and After Chiropractic Treatment Versus Non-Colicky Babies.

“…(3) upper-cervical movement/joint dysfunction, muscular tightness and occipital tenderness [7]; (4) high levels of stress and stress arousal [6]; (5) breastfeeding di culties [7][8][9] [10]; (6) gastro-intestinal disorders such as regurgitation /Ger(d) and intestinal cramps with or without obstipation or dyschesia [11]. Together the associated symptoms point to dysregulation of the vestibular and autonomic systems, suggesting that infantile colic may be the behavioral expression of dysregulation at the brainstem level.…”