Kids - Abdominal Pain

If pain is severe and worsening over a two hour period, the child will need to be attended immediately. A warm washcloth or hot water bottle over the abdomen may be soothing. Do not  give solids, but try clear fluids first.

See other sections for associated symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, earache, cough, sore throat

Psychological distress. Occasionally, with psychological distress, a child may complain of abdominal pain. You may suspect this if your child has no other physical symptoms and:

  • is unusually clingy, or having unusual aggressive or withdrawn behavior
  • there has been some traumatic event, like a move, change at school, change in the home situation, marital discord, illness or death in the family, scary TV or movie show, disruption in friendships, or suspicion of sexual molestation
  • rarely does this awaken a child at night

CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY 

  • A baby is constantly crying with restless sleep; pale skin or look sick
  • An older child is doubled over with pain or crying with pain for more than half an hour or worsening pain in a two hour period
  • Moderate or severe dehydration
  • Unable to walk or walks bent over
  • Blood in stool
  • Possibility of poisoning
  • Recent injury to the abdomen
  • Marked tenderness in any location or mild tenderness in the right lower quarter when touched
  • Urinary tract infection symptoms (frequent urination, pain with urination, blood in the urine, foul smell to the urine or urgency to urinate)
  • Other concerning signs listed under vomiting or diarrhea

CALL DURING NORMAL HOURS

  • Pain that comes and goes
  • Pain associated with constipation
  • Other symptoms that may need evaluation like sore throat, earache, persistent cough
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