This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.

Rome IV criteria: infant colic

Excessive crying in infants: clinical criteria G4 without an hour limit, on request the criteria for studies (rule of three), Benninga 2016

Clinical criteria (all required)

The symptoms begin and end before the infant is 5 months old

The parents or caregivers report recurrent, long episodes of crying, fussing or irritability without an apparent reason, which they can neither prevent nor end

No indication of failure to thrive, fever or illness

For studies only (additional)

Also check the criteria for studies

According to parents or caregivers in an interview with a researcher or physician: crying or fussing for at least 3 hours a day on at least 3 of 7 days

In at least one continuously kept 24-hour diary, crying and fussing together amount to at least 3 hours

Calculation aid for healthcare professionals: the calculator reproduces what the sources cited assign to the inputs. Clinical assessment and every treatment decision remain with the treating physician. Inputs and results are not stored.

Frequently asked questions

Rome IV criteria: infant colic: What does this calculator compute?

Checks the Rome IV criteria G4 for infant colic (Benninga 2016): symptoms start and stop before the age of 5 months. Parents report recurrent, prolonged periods of crying, fussing or irritability without apparent cause that cannot be prevented or resolved by caregivers. There is no evidence of failure to thrive, fever or illness. For clinical practice, no hourly threshold applies any more. On request, the calculator checks the rule of threes (3 hours a day, on 3 of 7 days) for studies.

Rome IV criteria: infant colic: Which sources is this calculator based on?

Benninga MA, Nurko S, Faure C, Hyman PE, St. James Roberts I, Schechter NL: Childhood Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Neonate/Toddler (Gastroenterology 150:1443–1455) (2016)