Common Causes For Stomach Pain In Children And When To Worry

How long is too long for a child’s stomach pain to last?

Many mild stomach aches get better within a few hours. Call your doctor if your child’s belly pain lasts longer than 24 hours, keeps coming back, or is getting worse instead of better.

What does dehydration look like in a child?

Signs of dehydration can include peeing less than usual, a dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness or low energy. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea and you notice these signs, call your doctor.

When is belly pain more likely to be constipation?

Constipation is more likely if the pain is crampy, comes and goes, happens around bowel movements, or your child is having hard, infrequent stools. Bloating and relief after pooping or passing gas can also point to constipation.

When could belly pain be appendicitis?

Appendicitis often starts as pain near the belly button and then shifts to the lower right side. The pain usually gets worse over time and may come with vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, or pain that gets sharper with movement.

When should I worry about vomiting and diarrhea with stomach pain?

The biggest concern is dehydration. Get medical advice if your child can’t keep fluids down, has signs of dehydration, has bloody diarrhea, is unusually drowsy, or seems to be getting sicker instead of improving.

Should I give my child medicine for stomach pain?

It depends on the cause. Avoid giving over-the-counter medicines unless you’re confident what’s causing the pain and the product is appropriate for your child’s age. If the pain is severe, worsening, or you’re worried about appendicitis, get medical advice before giving medicine.

Experts

• Robert Issenman is a paediatric gastroenterologist; cited in the story as chief of paediatric gastroenterology at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton and president-elect of the Canadian Paediatric Society.
• David Sigalet is Chief of Surgery at Sidra Medical and Research Center in Doha, Qatar.
• John Howard is a paediatric gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Western Ontario.
• Cheryl Mutch is a paediatrician in Burnaby, BC.