What is the typical presentation of infantile colic?

Infantile colic is characterized by excessive crying in infants that often occurs in the late afternoon or evening. The typical presentation includes episodes of inconsolable crying, usually lasting more than three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks or longer, without any underlying medical condition.

Crying after feeds with legs drawn up is a prominent feature of infantile colic. Infants may exhibit signs of discomfort, such as drawing their legs up towards their abdomen, indicating gastrointestinal distress or discomfort. This behavior is commonly associated with gas or bloating, which are frequent complaints in colicky infants.

In contrast, frequent vomiting is not a typical sign of infantile colic and may suggest other gastrointestinal issues. Constant crying at night could occur, but it does not characterize the specific pattern seen in colic, which is generally more prevalent and recognizable shortly after feeding times. High fever is also not a symptom associated with infantile colic and may point to an underlying infection or other medical condition that requires evaluation. Thus, the choice that reflects the hallmark signs of infantile colic most accurately is crying after feeds coupled with the typical leg-drawing behavior.