Stomach ache in children

What is the cause of abdominal pain in children?

Abdominal pain is a symptom of a variety of medical conditions. In majority of cases, it is due to comparatively harmless causes, which can be treated without admission to hospital. In less than 5% of the cases, the situation is an emergency and immediate hospitalization is required.

Some of the common causes of stomach ache are:

1. Indigestion – commonly known as ‘tummy upset’, it is caused by bad food habits like overeating, drinking too many fizzy drinks or eating junk food. Drinking warm water, keeping hot water bottle over the stomach or taking antacids may help to relieve the pain.
   
2. Constipation – This may cause stomach ache, nausea and vomiting. The stools are hard and dry. A high fibre diet, and gentle laxatives helps to relieve the condition.
   
3. Gastroenteritis – It may be caused due to a viral or bacterial infection. The most evident symptom may be diarrhoea, which is associated with severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and fever. A stool examination can identify the cause.
   
4. Worm infestation – caused mostly by roundworms, it can cause recurrent stomach ache in children, particularly those living in conditions with poor sanitation and contaminated water supply. A course of anti-worm medications usually cures the infection.
   
5. Chronic recurrent abdominal pain – this type of pain is seen in late childhood (8-15 years) and more often in girls than in boys. Typically, there is a history of three or more episodes of severe abdominal pain over a period of 3-4 months.This is associated with vomiting and headache. This pain is usually psychological in origin, caused by worry, anxiety or as an attention seeking behaviour. Any physical cause is excluded after thorough examination and investigations.
   
6. Food allergies – abdominal pain is due to allergy to certain food constituents such as lactose in milk. Certain food preservatives used in cold drinks to give colour or in pickles can also cause of stomach ache in children.
   
7. Drugs – certain drugs like those given for epilepsy or malaria and some antibiotics may cause pain in children.

When is abdominal pain serious?

With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or gone in 2 hours. With gastroenteritis, the cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhoea. If the pain lasts for more than three hours, the doctor should be consulted.

In any case, if the pain is continuous and keeps getting worse, or if it is associated with vomiting and fever, it needs urgent medical attention.

How to deal with it at home?