Abdominal Pain

DEFINITION

Pain or discomfort located between the bottom of the rib cage and the groin crease
The older child complains of a stomachache
The younger child should at least point to or hold the abdomen

Causes

Indigestion: Indigestion or overeating causes many mild stomachaches
Gastroenteritis: A viral infection of the intestines causes stomach cramps as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea
Food Poisoning: Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea lasting less than 12 hours is often due to bacterial overgrowth in unrefrigerated foods
Constipation: The need to pass a BM causes lower abdominal cramps
Strep: A strep throat causes up to 10% of acute abdominal pain
Serious Causes: These include appendicitis, kidney infections and intussusception

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

CONSTIPATION present and is the main symptom
DIARRHEA present and is the main symptom
URINATION PAIN present and abdominal pain is mild
VOMITING (or child feels like needs to vomit) is the main symptom
Crying and not sure what's causing it, see CRYING

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Your child looks or acts very sick
You suspect poisoning with a plant, medicine, or chemical
Unable to walk or walks bent over holding the abdomen
Pain mainly low on the right side
Pain or swelling in the scrotum or testicle
Severe pain anywhere
Constant pain (or crying) present over 2 hours
Blood in the bowel movements or vomiting blood
Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green)
Recent injury to the abdomen
Age under 2 years
Fever over 105° F (40.6° C)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

You think your child needs to be seen
Mild pain that comes and goes (cramps) lasts over 24 hours

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns
Abdominal pains are a recurrent ongoing problem

Parent Care at Home If

Mild abdominal pain and you don't think your child needs to be seen

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD ABDOMINAL PAIN

Reassurance:
- A mild stomachache can be caused by something as simple as gas pains or overeating.
- Sometimes a stomachache signals the onset of a vomiting or diarrhea illness from a virus (gastroenteritis).
- Watching your child for 2 hours will usually tell you the cause.
Rest: Encourage your child to lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids: Offer clear fluids only (e.g., water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade). For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting: Keep a vomiting pan handy. Younger children often refer to nausea as a "stomachache".
Pass a BM: Encourage sitting on the toilet and trying to pass a bowel movement (BM). This may relieve pain if it is due to constipation or impending diarrhea. (Note: for constipation, sitting in warm water may relax the anus and help release a BM)
Avoid Medicines: Any drug (especially ibuprofen) could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse. Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps. For fever over 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be given.
Expected Course: With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or resolved in 2 hours. With gastroenteritis (stomach flu), belly cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhea and last several days. With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain present over 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes present over 24 hours
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 7/15/2007

Last Revised: 8/28/2007

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

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