Stomach pain is one of the most common complaints in children and can quickly unsettle you as a parent. Often, you are faced with the challenge of deciding whether the pain is harmless or if a doctor's visit is necessary. Children may complain of stomach aches for various reasons – ranging from simple digestive issues to more serious conditions. But how can you tell what’s behind the stomach pain, and how can you help your child?
Symptoms: How Do I Recognize Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain in children can present in various ways, and they will often tell you when something is wrong. Your child might hold their stomach, curl up on their side, cry, appear pale, or seem less interested in playing. They may become more clingy, want extra cuddles, seem easily upset, or lose their appetite. These symptoms are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. It's essential to closely observe these signs to gauge the severity of the discomfort.
It's important to remember that stomach pain is a symptom, not an illness itself. It signals that something is going on in your child’s body that requires attention.
Stomach Pain in Young Children
Young children sometimes say they have stomach pain, even if they are actually experiencing pain elsewhere, such as an earache. This is because they often cannot accurately locate their pain. The stomach is an area children are more aware of, and discomfort is often felt there, even if the cause lies elsewhere. In these situations, it is essential to remain calm and patient to uncover the true cause.
Possible Causes
Stomach pain in children can be triggered by a variety of factors. Often, the complaints are harmless and disappear on their own. In other cases, however, they may indicate a more serious condition. The most common causes include:
1. Digestive Problems
One of the most common causes of stomach pain in children is digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. These complaints can arise from an unbalanced diet, eating too quickly, or consuming foods that are difficult to digest.
2. Infections
Gastrointestinal infections caused by viruses or bacteria are another common cause of stomach pain. These are often accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. In most cases, the symptoms subside after a few days but can be very taxing on your child. Make sure your child stays well-hydrated.
3. Functional Stomach Pain
Functional stomach pain refers to pain for which no organic cause can be found. It can be triggered by emotional stress, changes in the mobility or sensitivity of the gastrointestinal system, or by an altered gut microbiome. Even though no physical cause is found, the pain is real and must be taken seriously.
4. Food Intolerances
Some children are sensitive to certain foods, such as lactose, gluten, or fructose. If your child regularly complains of stomach pain after eating certain foods, you should visit your pediatrician to check for possible intolerances.
5. Appendicitis (Inflammation of the Appendix)
Appendicitis is a serious cause of stomach pain that requires immediate treatment. Typically, the pain starts near the navel and later shifts to the lower right abdomen. The pain is often accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, and nausea. Most children appear very ill, have difficulty walking due to the pain, and cannot hop on one leg. If you suspect appendicitis, you should seek medical attention immediately.
6. Urinary Tract Infections
A bladder infection or other urinary tract infections can also cause stomach pain, especially in the lower abdomen. In such cases, children often complain of pain when urinating, an increased need to urinate, and may also have a fever. You should consult your pediatrician in these situations.
7. Stress and Emotional Strain
Children often react to stress and emotional strain with physical symptoms. School stress, family conflicts, or worries among friends can lead to stomach pain in children. In such cases, it’s important to be there for your child and provide emotional support.
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When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Even though stomach pain in children is often harmless, there are certain signs where a doctor’s visit is advisable. You should become alert if:
the stomach pain is very severe or occurs suddenly.
the pain is constant and lasts longer than 24 hours.
the stomach is hard.
the pain is localized in the lower right abdomen, and your child struggles to walk or can no longer hop on one leg.
your child has recurring fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. The younger the child, the sooner you should consult a doctor.
blood appears in the stool.
the stomach pain is accompanied by extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
your child complains of pain while urinating.
the stomach pain is unexplained and wakes your child at night.
Dehydration is suspected.
food intolerance is suspected.
In these cases, you should not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional to rule out serious conditions.
What Does the Doctor Do?
To identify the cause of your child’s stomach pain, the doctor will begin with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Regularly monitoring your child’s growth and weight is crucial, as any deviations from normal patterns can signal potential underlying health issues that may require further evaluation.
Dietary Trials and Pain Diary
If your child has persistent stomach pain, the doctor may recommend keeping a pain diary and making dietary changes to help identify triggers. For example, certain foods may be temporarily eliminated to observe any improvements. It’s important for parents to avoid directly asking the child about the pain. Instead, note down any complaints as they naturally arise. A typical pain diary might look like this over four weeks:
Week 1: Eliminate fructose
Week 2: Return to normal diet
Week 3: Eliminate lactose
Week 4: Return to normal diet
Further Diagnostic Tests
In some cases, further diagnostic tests may be needed to rule out other conditions. The pediatrician may recommend blood, urine, or stool tests to explore the cause of the abdominal pain. Pediatricians are generally very careful about ordering blood tests for children and will only do so when absolutely necessary, taking into account the child’s overall health and symptoms.
Treatment
It's important not to give any pain relief medicine like suppositories, tablets, or syrups without a clear diagnosis from a doctor.
Depending on what the doctor finds, they will recommend the right treatment. This often includes rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating light, easy-to-digest foods. For constipation, the doctor may prescribe stool softeners.
If the doctor suspects a more serious condition, they may refer your child to a pediatric gastroenterologist. These doctors are specially trained to treat issues with the digestive system, liver, pancreas, and nutrition in children.
What Can You Do to Help Your Child?
If the stomach pain does not point to a serious condition, there are a few simple measures you can take to relieve your child’s discomfort:
1. Encourage Your Child to Use the Toilet
Sometimes, your child may simply need to go to the toilet or pass some gas. Make sure the situation is calm and stress-free. It's important for your child to feel comfortable, so avoid having their legs dangle. Ideally, use a small stool to support their feet and keep their legs slightly bent. This position can make it easier for them to use the toilet.
2. Apply Warms
Placing a warm water bottle on the stomach can be soothing for many types of stomach pain. The warmth relaxes the muscles and can help relieve bloating.
3. Ensure Adequate Hydration
Especially with digestive problems, it’s important for your child to drink plenty of fluids. Water or unsweetened teas are the best options. Staying hydrated helps support digestion and prevents constipation.
4. Offer Easily Digestible Foods
When your child has acute stomach pain, it's best to offer easily digestible foods in small portions, such as rice, bananas, toast, or steamed vegetables. Avoid rich, bloating, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods that could further irritate the stomach. If your child doesn’t want to eat, that’s okay during an illness. The body is very intuitive. Just ensure your child is drinking enough fluids.
5. Stay Calm and Provide Distraction
Sometimes, it helps if children can distract themselves from the pain. A quiet game, reading a story, or going for a walk outside can work wonders. Show understanding for your child’s discomfort without overly focusing on the pain. If your child cannot be distracted, it's a sign to pay closer attention
6. Massage
A gentle circular massage of the abdomen can help relieve gas and stimulate digestion.
7. Simple Exercises
Such as lying on the back and 'cycling' with the legs in the air, or going for a short walk can help release some gas.
8. Reduce Stress
If emotional stress plays a role, it can be helpful to simplify your child’s daily routine. Have an open ear for their fears and worries, and help them develop strategies to deal with stressful situations.
Conclusion
Stomach pain in children is common. In most cases, the pain goes away on its own or can be alleviated with simple home remedies. However, it’s important to take your child’s symptoms seriously and watch for any accompanying symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition.
If you are unsure or the pain persists, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. This way, you can ensure that your child receives the best possible support. With patience, empathy, and a healthy dose of attention, you can help your child overcome stomach pain and feel better quickly.
Resources:
https://www.gpge.eu https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/87642/Chronische-Bauchschmerzen-bei-Kindern-und-Jugendlichen
https://www.dgkj.de/eltern/dgkj-elterninformationen/elterninfo-bauchschmerzen https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/064-016l_S1_Bauchschmerz-Kinder-Jugendliche-Bildgebende-Diagnostik_2023-07.pdf