Abdominal Pain in Children

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Medical Author:

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD

Robert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Abdominal Pain in Children Overview
• Abdominal Pain in Children Causes
• Abdominal Pain in Children Symptoms
• Exams and Tests
• Abdominal Pain in Children Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Abdominal Pain in Children from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Abdominal Pain in Children - Causes

Abdominal Pain in Children Overview

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for a parent to bring his or her child to medical attention. Evaluation of a "tummy ache" can challenge both parents and the physician.

Possible causes for a child's abdominal pain range from trivial to life-threatening, with little difference in the child's complaints. Fortunately, abdominal pain in a child usually improves quickly. Each parent or caregiver faces the difficulty deciding whether a complaint needs emergency care or not.

Abdominal Pain in Children Causes

• Infections: Viruses or bacteria can cause abdominal pain, typically from stomach flu or gut flu (called gastroenteritis). Viral infections tend to go away quickly, while bacterial infections may need an antibiotic to get better.
  
  
• Food-related: Food poisoning (which has symptoms like those of stomach/gut flu), food allergies, eating excessive food, or gas production – any of these can cause bloating and temporary discomfort.
  
  
• Poisoning: This can range from simple problems, such as eating soap, to more serious issues like swallowing iron pills or an overdose of medications [such as acetaminophen poisoning (Tylenol)].
  
  
• Surgical problems: These include appendicitis and blockage of the bowels.
  
  
• Medical causes: Things outside the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. For example, a child can have abdominal pain from complications of diabetes or from a black widow spider bite.