Current beliefs and management strategies for treating infant colic.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to describe the current beliefs about the etiology of colic as well as current management approaches used by pediatric health care providers.


METHODS
An open-ended, short- answer survey concerning beliefs about the etiology and treatment of colic was conducted at major National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners and American Academy of Pediatric meetings. The two groups of providers surveyed, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) (n = 216) and pediatricians (n = 215), were similar in age and years of practice.


RESULTS
PNPs were more likely to define colic as "excessive crying." No differences were found in the beliefs regarding etiology of colic. Pediatricians reported seeing more colicky infants per month. A strong relationship existed between etiology and primary treatment approach. Statistically significant differences were found between PNPs and pediatricians in approaches to management of colic.


CONCLUSIONS
Colic remains a prevalent and mysterious malady, with a critical need for more evidence-based treatment protocols. Differences in approaches used by providers were found, with PNPs more likely to use behavioral and environmental approaches to treatment.
Lobo
Marie L
ML
College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.
Kotzer
Anne Marie
AM
Keefe
Maureen R
MR
Brady
Elizabeth
E
Deloian
Barbara
B
Froese-Fretz
Ann
A
Barbosa
Gail
G
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003085:Colic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003448:Crying; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015985:Precipitating Factors; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology