Common Causes For Stomach Pain In Children And When To Worry

What it could be

Sometimes, not even a doctor can pinpoint the cause of a child’s recurring bellyache. “Marek started complaining his tummy hurt at about 16 months,” recalls Laura Chutny of St. Albert, Alta. Almost two years later, he still occasionally suffers with a sore tummy. After conducting simple tests to exclude the usual suspects like a bladder infection or parasites, the paediatrician assured the Chutnys that Marek was perfectly healthy.

Unexplained stomach pain in children is relatively common, according to Howard. About one in six kids suffers from recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of childhood, usually after age five. The ache generally affects the middle of the tummy during the day, seemingly without a specific cause.

The pain is real; scientists just haven’t figured out why it occurs. However, normal growth and development aren’t affected. So while it’s prudent to let your doctor examine your child, avoid the impulse to push for lots of tests. Research shows that children with RAP were less likely to improve within a year if their parents pushed for a diagnosis, rather than sending them to counselling.

What parents can do

For treatment, Howard recommends letting your child decide if the pain warrants sitting out regular activities (however, don’t be hoodwinked; no school means no TV or video games). Like any pain, RAP can be heightened by anxiety or stress, so yoga and relaxation exercises may help. It usually disappears around puberty.

When to worry

Call your doctor if the pain becomes more frequent, more severe, or starts interfering with school, sleep, eating or normal activities. Get medical advice sooner if your child has weight loss, vomiting, bloody stools, persistent diarrhea, fever, pain that wakes them at night, or any other new symptoms.