INCONSOLABLE CRYING
We believe breast milk is the best food for infants. When in consultation with their healthcare professional, mothers and families find that optimal breastfeeding is not possible due to their infant’s medical condition, formulas for special medical purposes play a vital role in providing essential nutrients to infants. We have a global commitment to market breast-milk substitutes responsibly.
Crying is a normal part of the development for all infants within the first three months of life and it is their main way of communicating that they are hungry, tired, angry in pain or even bored.1,2
There is little consensus about the definition of an abnormal cry such as that of the inconsolable cry. The most widely used definition is “fussing or crying lasting for more than three hours per day, for more than three days, for at least one week.” 3,4 The incidence of an inconsolable cry is high in infants below three months of age and decreases considerably beyond six months of age.5 If an infant cries for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week and for more than three weeks then they may be suffering from colic. (See Crying/Colic).
What causes inconsolable crying in infants?
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) can cause inconsolable crying.6 Other possible causes include a urinary tract infection, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), a viral illness and bacterial meningitis6 or colic3 (See Crying/Colic).
Inconsolable crying as a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy
CMPA can present with a number of clinical manifestations, which may result in symptoms, such as inconsolable crying in newborns and infants.7
Signs and symptoms related to CMPA
The majority of infants affected with CMPA have at least two symptoms affecting at least two different organ systems.8,9
Having an awareness of the most common symptoms of CMPA can help you to make an earlier diagnosis of CMPA in your patients.
CoMiSS® awareness tool
The Cow’s Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS)® is a simple, fast and easy-to-use awareness tool designed to help you more easily recognise the signs and symptoms that can be cow’s milk-related in infants and young children.
If you suspect your patient is suffering from symptoms that may be suggestive of CMPA, use the CoMiSS® tool to score and assess the likelihood of CMPA.
OTHER SYMPTOMS OF COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY
|
References |
|
1. Roberts DM., et al. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:735–40 2. Centre of Excellence for early child development. Crying Behaviour information sheet, 2008 (http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/crying-behaviour/resources) Accessed February 2016 3. Wessel MA., et al. Pediatrics. 1954;14:421–35 4. Zeskind PS. and Barr RG. Child Development. 1997;68:394–403 5. Von Kries R., et al. Archi of Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:508–11 6. Freedman SB., et al. Pediatrics. 2009;123:841–8 7. Brill H. Can Fam Physician. 2008;54:1258–64 8. Lifschitz C. and Szajewska H. Eur J Pediatr. 2015;174:141–50 9. Høst A. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1994;5:1–36 |