Abdominal pain

When your child has abdominal pain, it’s often because of symptoms related to the digestive system such as constipation or diarrhea. If your child has a stomachache like this, the stomach, small intestine and large intestine are likely to be involved.

Sometimes abdominal pain has other causes such as from sore muscles or an injury. Your child’s stomach pain may be related to other organs in the abdomen, such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen or gallbladder. Abdominal pain may even be coming from a nearby problem in your child’s chest, back or pelvis.

When should I be concerned about my child's stomach pain?

Most stomachaches go away on their own. Getting a little rest and drinking more water will often ease your child’s pain and resolve their symptoms. You should take your child to their doctor if their abdominal pain and other symptoms get worse, last a long time or seem severe.

Where is the stomach pain?

When infants and toddlers have pain in their abdomens, they can’t tell you where the pain is. They may cry or give nonverbal signs of pain you can watch for. You can also keep track of what their bowel movements look like.

If your child is older, it helps to ask them to point to where they feel the pain. If it’s high in the abdomen, it might be heartburn. If it’s lower, it’s more likely to be an intestinal upset. If they can’t point to one spot, they may be feeling generalized pain all over their abdomen.

Sometimes it’s a simple case of overeating because of a holiday or other celebration.

What does the stomach ache feel like?

You can also ask your child what the abdominal pain feels like. It may be:

• Sharp or dull
• Constant or occasional
• Burning or achy
• Mild or severe

Not every child will be able to answer these kinds of questions. Keeping track of any of their responses can help you figure out what’s going on.

Other symptoms of your child’s stomach pain

Along with abdominal pain, your child may have some of these other symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in bowel habits
• Refusal or reluctance to eat
• Fever

What’s the most common cause of abdominal pain in children?

The most common causes of abdominal pain in children are:

• Heartburn
• Intestinal gas or gas pain
• Illnesses such as the flu
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stress or anxiety

In general, causes of abdominal pain in children can be divided into two categories:

• Digestive system problems: Constipation, diarrhea, food allergies or food poisoning
• Inflammation: Flu, heartburn, gallstones, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, diverticulitis, kidney stones or abdominal cysts

We offer a variety of treatments for gastroenterological disorders like these.

Another cause of abdominal pain in teens and preteens is pain related to the female reproductive system.

Abdominal pain diagnosis

Your child’s doctor will ask you and your child about all the things you’ve observed about your child’s pain. They’ll do a physical exam and may recommend blood, urine or stool tests to help determine the cause and how to treat your child. Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound or endoscopy may reveal internal problems.

Abdominal pain treatment

For most stomach pain, a little home care can go a long way. Try offering only bland or soft foods. Encourage your child to eat slowly, take smaller bites and drink plenty of clear fluids. Applying warmth to the abdomen may help them feel better.

Treatment with medication

Depending on the cause of your child’s stomach pain, their doctor may suggest medications to help. Some over-the-counter medications they may suggest are:

• Medications with simethicone: Gas pain or bloating
• Antacids and acid-reducing medications: Belching, stomach fullness or acid reflux
• Laxatives or stool softeners: Bloating from constipation

Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they can irritate the stomach.

When prescription medications are indicated, they may include:

• Steroids: Reduce pain and inflammation from conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Proton pump inhibitors: Disorders that are worsened by stomach acid like ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux
• Antibiotics: Bacterial conditions or ulcers related to H. pylori bacteria

For more severe conditions like an intestinal blockage or appendicitis, your child may need surgery. Some serious conditions related to the female reproductive system such as ovarian cysts may also require surgery.