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Functional Abdominal Pain in Children

When your child has recurring stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, a trip to the doctor is usually in order. Although your child's pain is no less real, these symptoms do not always point to a specific underlying visible cause.

  1. Functional Abdominal Pain

    • Functional abdominal pain (pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders) encompasses a variety of digestive problems affecting children from infancy into their late teens. When the doctor rules out a structural abnormality or a biochemical cause by examination, blood tests and X-rays, she may suggest that your child is experiencing functional abdominal pain. Rather than being caused by something visible, a functional disorder refers to an alteration in the way the body functions.

    Symptoms

    • Functional abdominal pain in children is typically characterized by recurring symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of all of these. If your child experiences symptoms such as blood in the stool, involuntary weight loss, severe diarrhea or vomiting and unexplained fever, your doctor may immediately further test for other conditions.

    Explaining the Condition

    • According to the American College of Gastroenterology, the affected child and his family should be educated about functional abdominal pain in order to fully treat the condition. The doctor should reassure your child that although the pain is real, there is probably no reason to worry about a serious disease. The stomach pain may be likened to headaches that are caused by muscle tension rather than a tumor.

    Side Effects

    • Although functional abdominal pain is not deadly, it can negatively affect your child both physically and psychologically. It may affect her appetite, cause her to miss out on sports, social activities and school, interfere with her sleeping patterns, or cause depression or anxiety. On the other hand, the functional abdominal pain could stem from a psychiatric condition such as pre-existing depression or anxiety.

    Coping

    • Depending on the case, eliminating greasy or spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine or lactose may help reduce functional abdominal pain. Medicines such as laxatives, anti-diarrheals and acid reducers may also help. Psychological counseling (with lessons on relaxation or even hypnosis) may help your child if his functional abdominal pain is triggered by anxiety or depression.

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