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What causes abdominal pain in children?

Abdominal (tummy) pain in children can be due to a number of causes such as constipation, gastroenteritis, stress, food poisoning, food allergies, overeating and eating non-food items. There are also some serious causes of abdominal pain, such as appendicitis or bowel obstruction, which require immediate surgery. Many cases of recurring tummy pain do not appear to have any cause and will resolve themselves within a few hours.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

How is abdominal pain in children diagnosed?

Your doctor will take a medical history and ask about when the pain started, how it feels, where it is and what your child ate beforehand, to see if there is an easy explanation. A physical examination involving gently examining your child's …

How is abdominal pain in children treated?

The type of treatment offered will depend on what is causing your child's abdominal pain. Most cases of gastroenteritis will receive no medical treatment, just bed rest and sips of water. Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, …

Will abdominal pain in children clear on its own?

Many cases will clear up on their own without any treatment being given. Any reports of abdominal pain in children warrant medical assessment though, to rule out any serious underlying cause.

Is abdominal pain in children contagious?

If your child has gastroenteritis (stomach flu), this is incredibly infectious and can spread through whole classes at school in a matter of days. Handwashing and hygiene after using the bathroom are very important in stopping its spread. …

Can abdominal pain in children be prevented?

There is no fail-safe way to stop your child having abdominal pain, but keeping an eye on what they eat will help. Monitor their consumption and limit the amount of snack foods, fizzy sodas and sweets they eat, as children often do not know when …

Will abdominal pain in children keep coming back?

If your child has coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, they may have recurring episodes of stomach pain. If the pain is due to gastroenteritis, infection, poisoning or a serious condition requiring surgery, it will usually pass …

What is the outlook for abdominal pain in children?

The outlook for most cases of abdominal pain in children is good, with the majority of cases passing with simple bed rest, sips of water and mild pain-relief medications. If your child has a medical reason for their pain, they will be …

How common is abdominal pain in children?

Abdominal pain is very common in children; it is one of the main reasons children are brought to emergency departments or doctors' surgeries.

What factors can trigger abdominal pain in children?

Poor food choices such as greasy, fatty, fried foods, carbonated drinks and sodas, alongside overeating can all trigger a tummy ache.

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About this article

Author: Karen McCloskey BHSc
First answered: 22 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Votes: 571 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Appendicitis

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