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Children & Abdominal Pain

According to Baby Boomer Care, about one-third of children complain of having abdominal pain that lasts at least two weeks. (See Reference 1) It is important that parents recognize whether the pain is just a simple tummy ache or something more serious.

  1. Effects

    • Children often will cry, be doubled over, sweat and vomit from abdominal pain. Diarrhea, fever or listlessness are sometimes present as well. (See Reference 2)

    Causes

    • There are many causes of abdominal pain in children. These causes include infections such as the stomach flu, food allergies and appendicitis. (See Reference 2)

    Identification

    • In order to identify the cause of the abdominal pain, a doctor will order blood tests, collect a stool sample and perform an ultrasound. If the doctor can't determine the cause, a specialist is consulted. (See Reference 2)

    Treatment

    • In minor cases of abdominal pain, rest, fluids and dietary changes are prescribed. More serious cases, such as those where the bowel is obstructed, require surgery. (See Reference 2)

    Warning

    • Although most cases of abdominal pain in children are minor and will go away within a couple of hours, some cases are life-threatening. Seek medical treatment to determine the reason behind the abdominal pain. (See Reference 3)

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