Maternal reports of infantile colic among clinic-attending infants in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study of associated factors and management practices

BACKGROUND: Persistent infant crying is distressing for caregivers, but local evidence needs to distinguish reported crying patterns from clinically established infantile colic. AIM: To estimate the proportion of maternal reports meeting recorded crying thresholds, examine associated characteristics and describe management practices in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: This primary cross-sectional study included infants aged 1-6 months at ten child-health facilities. Affirmative responses to three Wessel crying questions defined the outcome. Facility-stratified conditional logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Resolution responses were examined post hoc. RESULTS: Among 358 mother-infant pairs, 81 met the recorded criteria (22.6%; unweighted Wilson 95% CI 18.6-27.2%; facility-clustered 95% CI 12.7-32.6%). Symptoms were coded as resolved in 72/81, precluding interpretation as current symptom prevalence. Household size greater than four was associated with higher adjusted odds (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.15-4.50). The smoking estimate was imprecise and sensitive to analytical restrictions. Among mothers of infants meeting the criteria, 58/79 (73.4%) sought medical help, 43/80 (53.8%) used traditional remedies and 77/81 (95.1%) wanted additional support. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in five maternal reports met the crying thresholds, without establishing a clinical diagnosis or current prevalence. The household association warrants further study. Findings support attention to caregivers' information needs, safe soothing and appropriate clinical assessment.