Abdominal pain - children under age 12

Almost all children have abdominal pain at one time or another. Abdominal pain is pain in the stomach or belly area. It can be anywhere between the chest and groin.

Most of the time, it is not caused by a serious medical problem. But sometimes abdominal pain can be a sign of something serious. Learn when you should seek medical care right away for your child with abdominal pain.

Considerations

When your child complains of abdominal pain, see if s/he can describe it to you. Here are different kinds of pain:

• Generalized pain or pain over more than half of the belly. Your child can have this kind of pain when they have a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas, or when they become constipated.


• Cramp-like pain is likely to be due to gas and bloating. It is often followed by diarrhea. It is usually not serious.


• Colicky pain is pain that comes in waves, usually starts and ends suddenly, and is often severe.


• Localized pain is pain in only one area of the belly. Your child may be having problems with his/her appendix, gallbladder, or stomach (ulcers).

If you have an infant or toddler, s/he depends on your seeing that s/he is in pain. Suspect abdominal pain if s/he is:

• More fussy than usual


• Drawing his/her legs up toward the belly


• Eating poorly

Causes

Your child could have abdominal pain for many reasons. It can be hard to know what is going on when your child has abdominal pain. Most of the time, there is nothing seriously wrong. But sometimes it can be a sign that there is something serious and your child needs medical care.

Your child mostly likely is having abdominal pain from something that is not life threatening. For example, your child may have:

• Constipation


• Gas


• Food allergy or intolerance


• Heartburn or acid reflux


• Stomach flu or food poisoning


• Strep throat or mononucleosis ("mono")


• Colic


• Air swallowing


• Abdominal migraine


• Pain caused by anxiety or depression

Your child may have something more serious if the pain does not get better in 24 hours, gets worse or gets more frequent. Abdominal pain can be a sign of:

• Appendicitis


• Gallstones


• Stomach ulcers


• Hernia or other bowel twisting, blockage or obstruction


• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)


• Intussusception, caused by part of the intestine being pulled inward into itself


• Tumors or cancers


• Urinary tract infections


• Sickle cell disease crisis

Home Care

Most of the time, you can wait for your child to get better and use home care remedies. If you are worried or your child’s pain is getting worse or lasts longer than 24 hours, call your health care provider.

Have your child lie quietly to see if the abdominal pain goes away.

Offer sips of water or other clear fluids.

Suggest that your child try to pass stool.

Avoid solid foods for a few hours. Then try small amounts of mild foods such as rice, applesauce, or crackers.

Do not give your child foods or drinks that are irritating to the stomach. Avoid:

• Caffeine


• Carbonated beverages


• Citrus


• Dairy products


• Fried or greasy foods


• High-fat foods


• Tomato products

Do not give aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or similar medicines without first asking your child's health care provider.

To prevent many types of abdominal pain:

• Avoid fatty or greasy foods.


• Drink plenty of water each day.


• Eat

• X-rays of the abdomen

Alternative Names

Stomach pain in children; Pain - abdomen - children; Abdominal cramps in children; Belly ache in children