Digestive Problems in Children

Young children often have digestive problems. Most are common and will pass with proper diet and/or treatment. Other gastrointestinal symptoms may be more serious and will require medical testing to determine the cause. Parents whose children are experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation will have to make an initial assessment to determine if the problem is simply caused by a virus, infection or food disturbance, or if it is a more frequent issue that needs to be evaluated by a pediatrician.

Possible Causes of Abdominal Pain

• A common complaint of childhood is, "My stomach hurts!" However, the causes of tummy aches are many, and each time it arises parents will be faced with the daunting challenge of rooting out the source. Abdominal pain can come from the following minor sources:
  1. Gas
  2. Eating too much
  3. Drinking too much soda
  4. Gastrointestinal virus, i.e., "the stomach bug"
  5. Constipation
  6. Diarrhea
  7. Stress (a common cause, affecting as much as 10 percent of children)
  Stomach pains can also be caused by more serious issues such as:
  1. Appendicitis
  2. Trapped nonfood item
  3. Food poisoning
  4. Acid reflux
  5. Allergies to food
  6. Crohn's disease

Diarrhea and Constipation

• Often, diarrhea and constipation can cause abdominal cramping. Constipation can be caused by a lack of sufficient fiber in the diet, or not drinking enough fluids. Usually constipation is defined as infrequent, painful or hard bowel movements. A change in diet to add more whole grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables may be all that is needed to alleviate the symptoms of constipation. Constipation can also occur if the child is afraid to go to the bathroom (too much pressure placed on child to potty train is one cause). Diarrhea can be caused by a virus, bacteria or excessive juice consumption. Pediatricians usually recommend the B.R.A.T. diet as a home remedy for diarrhea. This diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast and should be maintained until the diarrhea has subsided. It is also recommended that the affected child avoid dairy products.One exception is if the child is nursing: A nursing schedule should be maintained to avoid the possibility of dehydration.

Bloating, Hiccups and Excessive Gas

• Excessive gas and bloating have many causes as well, including a viral infection of the intestinal tract, diarrhea or excessive swallowing of air. It can also be caused by a food allergy, particularly lactose (milk) intolerance. Hiccups are contractions of the diaphragm. They are normal and occur frequently in some children; they are not usually a cause for concern. An old-fashioned treatment of hiccups is prescribing a teaspoon of sugar, and it does seem to work in most cases. Relaxing by lying down and napping sometimes helps as well.

Ingesting a Nonfood Item or Poison

• Young children love to explore objects with their mouths, but this can sometimes lead to choking and serious digestive issues. Sharp objects can cause internal damage and bleeding. If there is blood in the stools, this may be one potential problem that should be suspected. Other signs that a child has swallowed an object or poisonous material may be coughing, drooling, difficulty swallowing, discomfort in throat, chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting (sometimes bloody) and difficulty during bowel movements. The most frequently swallowed foreign object is the coin. Try to keep small objects and poisonous materials off the floor, countertops and away from small children. Also keep in mind that many plants and flowers are poisonous and should be kept out of reach.

Nausea and Vomiting

• Like diarrhea, vomiting is usually the result of a virus. Sometimes it is caused by overeating, motion sickness, head trauma or food poisoning. If the child ate too much, the vomiting will be short-lived. Viral vomiting usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, less if the child is under the age of two. The most dangerous side effect of vomiting is dehydration. To avoid this complication, children should be offered small amounts of liquid as vomiting subsides. Start with a wet, clean cloth to suck on, then slowly increase the amount to a teaspoon of water, or alternatively ice chips. Once vomiting has stopped for at least four hours, the amount of fluid offered can be greater. Consult a physician immediately if the child has not urinated for more than eight hours, or is extremely lethargic and/or confused.

Anal Fissures, Odd Color or Blood in Stools

• An anal fissure is a small cut near the opening of the anus. This is the primary reason for blood in the stools and is usually a result of severe constipation. In most instances, the constipation needs to be treated through correct diet and increased fluids before fissures can properly heal. Medicated ointments and warm bath soaks (a small amount of baking soda or saline added) can help to relieve soreness. If stools are an unusual color, it is usually a result of diet. Various colored jello, fruits and juices can cause odd colors in bowel movements.

Acid Reflux, Crohn's Disease and Other Serious Digestive Problems

• If digestive problems in a child seem to be recurrent or chronic in nature, it may be time to seek the help of a doctor. Disorders such as acid reflux (regurgitation of acid into the esophagus) and Crohn's disease (a disorder of the intestines that causes inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal lining) may be indicated and tested for. A food allergy such as gluten or lactose intolerance can also cause chronic abdominal distress. These conditions can be treated with a combination of diet and medication.