ABSTRACT
Infantile colic is one of the most common problems in the first few months of life affecting up to 20% of newborns and young infants. It is unclear exactly the aetio-pathogenesis of this condition with unsatisfactory response to different modalities of therapy. We had studied the EEG changes occurring in colicky infants, comparing them with normal healthy non-colicky infants. This study was performed upon 50 infants attending Pediatric department, El-Minia University hospital as a case group according to Wassel's criteria and 25 healthy non colicky infants with normal growth and development who were age and sex matched as a control group. An EEG was done at the onset of presentation and repeated again six months later to all infants. Data were analyzed wit h Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher tests. There was a significant difference between the two groups as regarding EEG changes with significant abnormal EEG changes in colicky infants [p=0.007] before three months of age, but no significant difference between the two groups was present six months later. Significant positive correlations was found between these abnormal EEG changes and shaking baby vigorously during first two weeks of life [p=0.0001, t=9.9]. Most colicky infants were males [56% Vs 44% females],with the first baby was the mostly affected [80% of cases] but no significant statistical difference was present as regarding mode of delivery or maternal age. Infants complaining of infantile colic [according to Wassel's criteria] had abnormal EEG changes as compared to non colicky infants before three months of age. More studies are needed to know if these abnormal changes have a role in aetio-pathogenesis of infantile colic or they occur as consequence of the cause of colic