Common causes of abdominal pain in children :
- Abdominal cramps, usually comes and goes, often associated with diarrhea and may be caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite
- Constipation
- Appendicitis - rarely seen in children under 4 years. Typically, the child has constant, severe pain that often starts in the umbilical area and then may change to the right lower area of the abdomen
- Medications, especially some antibiotics
- Urinary tract infections
- Often with strep throat
- Menstrual cramps
- Severe coughing or pneumonia
- Psychological
- Trauma
- Intussusception, which is a telescoping of the bowel within itself causing obstruction, vomiting, severe pain and red, "currant-jelly" type stools
- Bowel obstructions
- Food poisoning - usually associated with eating spoiled foods (see diarrhea )
- Ulcers
- Pyloric stenosis - infants under 3 months presenting with projectile vomiting, caused by a spasm and thickening of the muscle where food exits the stomach
- Colic in babies is a term used for crying babies that are usually unconsolable for periods of a couple hours and may be caused by gassiness. This may be due to a formula intolerance or allergy to a formula. In breast-fed babies, food or drink that the mother is consuming may cause colic. Gassy foods like beans, broccoli, onions, cabbage or spicy foods may cause the baby to be gassy. Also caffeinated drinks, chocolate or red wine may create an irritable baby.
- Gastroesophageal reflux in babies can sometimes cause a fussy baby with abdominal pains. A baby who spits up a lot may develop "heartburn" or what is known as esophagitis. Signs of this include a baby who cries alot with feeding or arches with feeds. They may have a decreased appetite
