Investigation of migraine frequency, depression and anxiety in mothers of infants with infantile colic

Aim: This study was aimed to investigate whether the mother's migraine diagnosis is associated with infantile colic (IC) in the baby and the effects of IC and maternal migraine on postpartum anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: 396 infants, aged between 1 to 5 months, who were administered to the Pediatrics and Social Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics, and their mothers who agreed to participate in the study were included in the study. A form containing demographic information and questions about IC and migraine was filled out. Then, BECK Anxiety Scale (BAI) and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were filled in to assess anxiety and depression in the mothers. Migraine Disability Scale (MIDAS) was administered to mothers with migraine in order to determine migraine severity. Results: Among 396 infants, 104 (26.3%) of them had IC and 292 (73.7%) of them did not have IC. Siblings of 16 (28.6%) infants with IC also had IC diagnosis, while siblings of 40 (71.4%) did not have IC. Siblings of 10 (6%) infants without IC had IC, while siblings of 157 (94%) did not have IC (p<0.001). While 35 (33.7%) mothers of infants with IC had migraine, 69 (66.3%) did not have migraine. Thirty (10.3%) mothers of infants without IC were diagnosed with migraine, and 262 (89.7%) were not diagnosed with migraine (p<0.001). The mean EPDS score of mothers with migraine was 10.5±5.9 points and 6.6±5.1 points in mothers without migraine (p<0.001). The BAI scores were 11.1±9.7 points in mothers with migraine and it was 5.5±6.4 points in mothers without migraine (p<0.001). Conclusions: IC was seen as more common in infants of mothers with migraine. High BAI and EPDS scores of mothers were found to be associated with a diagnosis of migraine and a diagnosis of IC in their infants. Providing IC-related counseling to mothers with migraine throughout their pregnancy may have positive effects on maternal and infant health. During the regular health controls, it should be kept in mind that mothers whose babies have IC may have a higher risk for postpartum depression and anxiety.