Research Article 2026-04-21 under-review v1

Prevalence of Underlying Organic Causes in Infants Presenting with Excessive Crying

K
Karola de Graaf St. Antonius Hospital
A
Arine M. Vlieger St. Antonius Hospital
S
Sacha A.V.M. Corvers Municipality of Utrecht
R
Rosalie Groenendijk University Medical Centre Utrecht
M
Marc A. Benninga Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
I
Ineke de Kruijff St. Antonius Hospital

Abstract

Objective To assess the proportion of infants referred for excessive crying (EC) who were diagnosed with an underlying condition likely related to EC within two years of follow-up. Methods A retrospective study reviewing records of infants younger than five months referred with EC as the primary reason for referral. Infants with fever at presentation, acute illness, gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1500 g, perinatal asphyxia, or previously diagnosed congenital disorders were excluded. Results Of 1,123 screened infants, 530 presenting with EC were included (53% male, mean age 2 months). Underlying organic conditions were identified in 52 infants (9.8%). Of these, 39 (7.4%) had cow’s milk allergy (CMA) confirmed by food challenge and 15 (2.8%) had other organic conditions, including developmental delay or genetic disorders (n=9) and urinary tract infection (n=2); 2 infants were diagnosed with both CMA and another condition. Clinical signs prompting early diagnosis included painful hip examination, feeding difficulties with choking, paroxysmal pain with rectal bleeding, progressive vomiting, and fever during follow-up. Later diagnoses emerged in the context of developmental delay or persistent EC, sleep or feeding problems. Initial physical examinations were normal in all infants. Conclusions In infants referred for EC, approximately 1 in 10 are diagnosed with an underlying organic condition, most commonly CMA. Although EC is often benign, persistent symptoms or emerging developmental concerns warrant careful evaluation and structured follow-up rather than reassurance alone. Future prospective studies should identify early clinical predictors distinguishing benign EC from pathology and improve timely recognition.

Citation Information

@article{karoladegraaf2026,
  title={Prevalence of Underlying Organic Causes in Infants Presenting with Excessive Crying},
  author={Karola de Graaf and Arine M. Vlieger and Sacha A.V.M. Corvers and Rosalie Groenendijk and Marc A. Benninga and Ineke de Kruijff},
  journal={European Journal of Pediatrics},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9289456/v1}
}
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