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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 2002.1
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Abdominal Pain
What is abdominal pain?
When your child complains that his stomach (abdomen) hurts,
there could be many causes.
Usually stomachaches are caused by something simple like:
- overeating
- gas pains from drinking too much soda
- other types of indigestion.
Sometimes a stomachache is caused by constipation. A
stomachache may also be the first sign of stomach flu (viral
gastroenteritis) and vomiting or diarrhea will soon follow.
Stomachaches that keep coming back (recurrent) can have many
causes. The most common causes of frequent stomachaches are
stress and worries. Over 10% of children have recurrent
stomachaches from stress. The pain occurs in the pit of the
stomach or near the belly button. The pain is mild but
real. If your child keeps getting stomachaches, talk to
your doctor.
How long does it last?
With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or gone in
2 hours. With stomach flu, the stomach may hurt before each
bout of vomiting or diarrhea. With serious causes, the pain
worsens or becomes constant.
How can I take care of my child?
Indigestion or illness: If your child has a stomachache from
eating or illness, use the following guidelines for
treatment:
- Rest: Your child should lie down and rest until he feels
better. A warm washcloth or heating pad on the stomach
for 20 minutes may speed recovery.
- Diet: Avoid giving your child solid foods. Only allow
sips of clear fluids. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
Younger children are especially likely to refer to nausea
as "a stomachache."
- Sitting on the toilet: Encourage your child to sit on the
toilet and try to pass a BM. This may relieve pain if it
is due to constipation or diarrhea.
- No medicine: Do not give any medications for stomach
cramps unless you have talked with your health care
provider. Especially avoid laxatives, enemas, and
painkillers.
Stress or worry: If your child has stomachaches from stress
or worries and he has already seen a doctor, these
suggestions might ease the pain:
- Help your child worry less. Children with recurrent
stomachaches tend to be sensitive, serious,
conscientious, even model children. This can make them
more vulnerable to the normal stresses of life, such as
changing schools or moving. Help your youngster talk
about events that trigger his pains and how he's going to
cope with them.
- Make sure that your youngster doesn't miss any school
because of stomachaches. These children have a tendency
to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Teach your child to use relaxation exercises for mild
pains. Have him lie down in a quiet place; take deep,
slow breaths; and think about something pleasant.
Listening to audiotapes that teach relaxation might help.
- Caution: Your child should have a complete medical
checkup before you conclude that recurrent stomachaches
are due to worrying too much.
When should I call my child's health care provider?
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
- The pain is severe AND lasts more than 1 hour.
- The pain is constant AND has lasted more than 2 hours.
- The pain comes and goes (cramps) AND lasts more than
24 hours.
- The pain is in the scrotum or testicle.
- Your child starts acting very sick.
Call during office hours if:
- This is a recurrent problem for your child.
- You have other questions or concerns.
Related Topics
Constipation
Diarrhea: Brief Version (all ages)
Diarrhea: Breast-Fed Infants
Diarrhea: Formula-Fed Infants
Diarrhea: Toddler
Diarrhea: School-Age Child
Diarrhea: Teenager
Menstrual Cramps
Vomiting
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