The association between parental migraine, infantile colic, and later migraine in childhood: A scoping review of current evidence.

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that infantile colic, a common condition in early infancy, shares pathophysiological features with migraine.

Objective: Aim was to examine the current evidence on the association between infantile colic and migraine, focusing on both maternal migraine as a risk factor for infantile colic and infantile colic as a predictor of later childhood migraine.

Design: We performed a scoping review.

Methods: We performed a scoping review and searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to 30 September 2025. Observational studies examining either maternal migraine and infantile colic or infantile colic and subsequent childhood migraine were included. Data were extracted on study design, population characteristics, and effect estimates. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted where available, and crude ORs were calculated when necessary.

Results: Twelve observational studies published from 1997 through 2025 were included. Estimates varied widely across six studies focusing on maternal migraine and infant colic, with ORs ranging from 0.97 to 37.71, reflecting substantial heterogeneity in study design, populations, and definitions. Another six studies showed that infantile colic was associated with later migraine, with ORs ranging from 0.50 to 107.14, although estimates varied substantially and some CIs were wide.

Conclusion: Available observational evidence suggests a consistent association between migraine and infantile colic. Infantile colic may represent an early-life marker of migraine susceptibility, but causality cannot be established. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.