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Causes of Left-Sided Abdominal Pain in Children

Abdominal pain on the left side is a common ailment in children. In most instances this pain is harmless, but sometimes left-sided abdominal pain in children can be a symptom of a more serious condition.

  1. Gastroenteritis

    • Gastroenteritis can be a cause of left-sided stomach pain in children. Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus that enters the intestinal tract and can be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and/or fever.

    Constipation

    • Constipation can be a cause of left-sided abdominal pain in children; it is not accompanied by vomiting or fever.

    Trauma

    • Left-sided abdominal pain may be the result of trauma. If a child has been hit in the stomach, or had an object impact the abdomen, trauma may be the cause of left-sided abdominal pain.

    Ovarian Torsion

    • A female with left-sided abdominal pain may have ovarian torsion. Often seen in young girls, this condition occurs when blood flows into but not out of the ovary.

    Testicular Torsion

    • Adolescent males with left-sided abdominal pain may have testicular torsion. A child with this condition has decreased blood supply to the testicle, causing it to become swollen and painful.

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