Distress in fathers of babies with infant colic.

AIM: The aim of this case-control study was to compare parental stress, depression, anxiety and bonding problems between fathers and mothers of babies with infant colic and parents of control infants.

METHODS: Parents of 34 infants with infant colic and 67 control dyads were included. Parental feelings were assessed using validated questionnaires.

RESULTS: Fathers as well as mothers of infants with infant colic showed significantly higher mean scores compared with controls on stress (20.9 ± 5.8 and 25.5 ± 7.2 vs 16.4 ± 6.1 and 14.7 ± 7.0), depression (5.6 ± 4.0 and 9.1 ± 4.8 vs 2.9 ± 2.9 and 4.0 ± 3.1), anxiety (41.9 ± 9.2 and 46.0 ± 10.2 vs 32.4 ± 8.4 and 32.2 ± 9.3) and bonding problems (16.1 ± 8.1 and 13.7 ± 5.9 vs 8.7 ± 6.3 and 5.0 ± 4.4). In fathers, after adjustments for infant and parental confounders and maternal negative feelings, depression and anxiety were significantly increased in the infant colic group (difference of 2.7 (p = 0.017) and 8.6 (p = 0.002)).

CONCLUSION: In fathers of infants with infant colic, the experienced distress is strongly associated with maternal distress, except for depression and anxiety. Paediatricians should be aware of these paternal feelings as parental reassurance and support is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of infants with colic.