Inconsolable Infant

Inconsolable

Without question, one of the most challenging tasks in life is to raise a child. The degree of difficulty of this challenge is heightened when that child becomes “inconsolable.” Since a young infant or child has a limited repertoire to convey illness, constant crying needs to be taken seriously by us in the Emergency Department. So, before you jump to the conclusion that this is merely “Colic” in the 2 month old, let us quickly highlight some entities that should be at the top of your DDx when evaluating the inconsolable child.

 

Inconsolable Child: A Mnemonic May Help

  • Personally, I have a difficult time remembering Mnemonics, but this one can be helpful.
  • IT CRIES
    • I = Infections (ex, UTI, Meningitis, Sepsis)
    • T = Trauma (ex, Subdural Hematoma, Fractures, Non-accidental trauma)
    • C = Cardiac Disease (ex, SVT)
    • R = Reaction to meds, Reflux, Rectal/Anal Fissure
    • I = Intussusception
    • E = Eyes (ex, corneal abrasion, foreign body, glaucoma)
    • S = Strangulation, Surgical Processes (ex, Hernia, Testicular/Ovarian Torsion)

 

Inconsolable Child: Head to Toe Exam is Key!

 

Inconsolable Child: But, What About Colic?

  • Colic is certainly a possibility… but, it is a diagnosis of exclusion!
  • Colic also has some criteria… so not all crying is colic!
  • Colic:
    • 10-26% of infants experience colic
    • Excessive crying for:
      • >3 hrs per day,
      • >3 days per week,
      • >3 weeks in duration
    • Can begin as early as 2nd week of life
    • Peaks around 6th week of life
    • Should resolve by 16th week of life.

 

Moral of the Morsel

  • A thorough history and physical exam will be the best tool to help you determine the cause of the crying. [Freedman, 2009]
  • Be diligent: pry open the mouth, look in the diaper area, exam each appendage (large and small).
  • Don’t be in a hurry to diagnose colic!

 

References

Cohen GM1, Albertini LW. Colic. Pediatr Rev. 2012 Jul;33(7):332-3; discussion 333. PMID: 22753793. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]
Freedman SB1, Al-Harthy N, Thull-Freedman J. The crying infant: diagnostic testing and frequency of serious underlying disease. Pediatrics. 2009 Mar;123(3):841-8. PMID: 19255012. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Herman M1, Le A. The crying infant. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2007 Nov;25(4):1137-59, vii. PMID: 17950139. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Poole SR1. The infant with acute, unexplained, excessive crying. Pediatrics. 1991 Sep;88(3):450-5. PMID: 1881722. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Harkness MJ1. Corneal abrasion in infancy as a cause of inconsolable crying. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1989 Dec;5(4):242-4. PMID: 2602200. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Sean M. Fox
Sean M. Fox

I enjoy taking care of patients and I finding it endlessly rewarding to help train others to do the same. I trained at the Combined Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics residency program at University of Maryland, where I had the tremendous fortune of learning from world renowned educators and clinicians. Now I have the unbelievable honor of working with an unbelievably gifted group of practitioners at Carolinas Medical Center. I strive every day to inspire my residents as much as they inspire me.

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