Which condition is associated with an infant exhibiting excessive crying and irritability, often resolving by 3 to 4 months?

The condition characterized by excessive crying and irritability in infants, typically resolving by 3 to 4 months of age, is colic. Colic is often diagnosed when an otherwise healthy infant cries for more than three hours a day, on more than three days a week, for three weeks or longer. The crying episodes can occur at any time of the day but often happen in the late afternoon or early evening.

The timing of when colic usually resolves is significant, as many infants outgrow it by around three to four months of age. Understanding colic helps caregivers distinguish it from other conditions that may also cause crying but may have different implications for treatment and management.

While gastroesophageal reflux can cause similar symptoms, it is typically associated with feeding difficulties and may persist longer than colic. Allergies may present with additional symptoms like rashes or respiratory issues, and respiratory syncytial virus usually manifests with signs of respiratory distress or illness rather than just excessive crying.