Infantile colic associated with childhood migraine: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the association between infantile colic and adolescent migraine.

Method: In a randomized general population sample, families expecting their first child were prospectively followed for infantile colic and adolescent migraine.

Results: Colic was diagnosed in 160 (13%) of 1267 infants until the age of 3 months. Migraine was ascertained in 129 (16%) of 787 adolescents at age 18 years. History of infantile colic was identified in 96 (12%) of 787 adolescents and no such history in 658 (88%) of 787 adolescents. Migraine was present in 22 (23%)/96 adolescents who had a history of infantile colic, but in only 74 (11%)/658 ones who had no such history. Of the 22 adolescents, 14 (64%) had migraine without aura and eight (36%) had migraine with aura. Infants with colic had an almost three-fold risk (risk ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.5) for adolescent migraine without aura, but no increased risk for migraine with aura (0.8, 0.3-2.2).

Discussion and conclusions: Infantile colic seems to be associated with an increased risk for migraine without aura, but not for migraine with aura. Whether infantile colic per se is a type of infantile migraine or an antecedent of future migraine remains to be answered by further research.

Keywords: Adolescent; headache; infantile colic; migraine.