Factors associated with excessive crying and its effect on mothers and infants: A literature review

<p>Purpose</p><p>This study aimed to determine the factors associated with excessive crying (EC) and its effects on mothers and infants, based on the results of recent studies on EC, and to obtain suggestions for future research.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A literature review was conducted for studies written in Japanese or English from 2013 to 2023. A search was conducted in PubMed using the following: “(excessive crying OR infant colic) AND related factor.” No keywords corresponded to EC in Japanese; thus, a search was attempted in Ichushi-Web using keywords related to infant crying. Consequently, a total of 17 papers were analyzed. Factors for EC and its effects on mothers and infants were extracted from these references.</p><p>Results</p><p>Some differences in the definition and measurement of EC were observed in the studies. Factors that increased the risk of EC were maternal anxiety disorders before and during pregnancy, gender-based household maltreatment during the perinatal period, preterm delivery, fussy/difficult infant temperament, and antibiotic use during the neonatal period. Conversely, factors that reduced the risk included higher social support and relationship well-being during pregnancy and postpartum, and higher partner involvement in the newborn's care. When EC was evident, the risk of maternal anxiety, postpartum depression, and parenting stress increased. Children who cried excessively in infancy were also at a higher risk of behavior and mood problems in early childhood.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Risk factors for EC and its effects on mothers and infants were identified. Future research is needed to investigate the causal relationship between the factors that significantly differed in the presence or absence of EC, and clarify the cause of the relationship between depression and anxiety and EC. Investigating the lived experience of EC in Japan and considering appropriate interventions is also necessary.</p>