What are the main signs and symptoms of infantile colic?

    Written by:
    Peter Woznik

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Brandon Brylawski
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    The main sign of infantile colic is crying, and other possible signs include flushing of the face, clenched fists, drawing up of the legs, and flatulence. These signs are more likely to occur in the late afternoon and evening.

    Crying is the main sign of colic, but flushing of the face, clenched fists, drawing up of the legs, and flatulence can also occur.[1] These signs of colic are more likely to occur in the late afternoon and evening hours of the day.[2]

    There are typically few, if any, quantifiable signs of colic, though fecal calprotectin can occasionally be higher in infants with colic.[3][4][5][6]