Beyond infantile colic: tracking motor skills, sensory processing, and sleep at the cusp of toddlerhood

This study aimed to evaluate the motor development, sensory processing skills, and sleep characteristics of toddlers with a history of infantile colic and compare them to their typically developing peers. A total of 46 toddlers were included in the study: 24 toddlers with a history of infantile colic and 22 typically developing peers (control group), aged between 10 and 15 months. Sensory processing skills, motor development, and sleep characteristics were evaluated using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–2, and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire, respectively. Significant differences in favor of the control group were observed in reactivity to tactile deep pressure (p = 0.026), adaptive motor function (p = 0.003), visual-tactile integration (p = 0.012), and total scores (p < 0.001) assessed by the TSFI, as well as in the control group scored higher in gross motor (p < 0.001), fine motor (p = 0.025), and total motor scores (p < 0.001) measured by the PDMS-2. Upon examining the sleep characteristics of the groups, nighttime sleep duration (p = 0.039) and total sleep duration (p = 0.009) were significantly longer in the control group. The colic group exhibited a significantly higher frequency of nocturnal awakenings (p = 0.004) and greater nocturnal wakefulness (p = 0.006). Toddlers with a history of infantile colic experience greater difficulties in sleep patterns, sensory processing, and motor development compared to their peers. Early evaluation and targeted intervention programs are crucial for addressing these potential developmental delays.