STOMACHACHE IN CHILDREN
Signs and symptoms
The diagnosis first involves ruling out appendicitis. If appendicitis can be ruled out, consider other possibilities.
Your child probably is constipated if he or, she has recently had no bowel movement or a hard movement; if the pain is intermittent (crampy) on the left side of the body and follows eating; and if the abdomen is soft but not tender to the touch.
Your child probably has digestive tract upset if he or she has eaten too much or has been exposed to someone who has acute gastroenteritis; if the pain is intermittent and occurs around the upper abdomen or navel; or if diarrhea follows vomiting.
Your child’s stomachache is probably due to emotional stress if he or she is or has been upset and if the pain does not worsen.
If your child’s pain cannot be explained by any of these causes take the child to the doctor.
Your child’s stomachache may be due to urinary tract infection if the child has a fever and frequent, painful urination. The child should see a doctor.
Home care
Treat constipation with a change in diet or a glycerin suppository. Unless it is severe
(acute pain lasting for more than 24 hours), digestive tract upset will go away on its own; however, an anti-nausea medication (ask your doctor for suggestions) can relieve the vomiting, and mild heat applied to the abdomen can relieve the pain. A stomachache due to emotional stress will ease with relief from the stress, but one that arises from a urinary tract infection requires the attention of a physician. If any stomach pain persists or worsens, take your child to your doctor.
Precautions
• Never give a child a laxative or place ice on the abdomen to treat abdominal pain.
• Steady, worsening pain usually is more serious than intermittent, crampy pain. However, severe and regular crampy pain I may indicate a serious problem, particularly if there is also blood or mucus in the child’s stools.
• Abdominal pain that forces a child to bend forward as he or she walks is a cause for concern.
• Abdominal pain combined with fever and a cough suggests pneumonia.
• Severe, worsening abdominal pain that follows an injury to the abdomen or lower chest suggests internal injury and requires a doctor’s attention.
Medical treatment
Your doctor’s first task is to determine the cause of the pain by taking a detailed medical history, performing a complete physical examination, and, in many cases, ordering a series of laboratory tests or X rays. If the diagnosis remains doubtful your doctor may observe your child for a few hours or ask for a consultation with another physician.
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