Stomach Pain In Kids: Possible Causes You Need To Know

Abdominal pain in kids is a common problem. There are several possible reasons behind this condition. Almost every child complaints of stomach pain at some point or the other. Children below the age of 11 usually complain of stomach pain. The pain may vary from mild and severe. To fight the pain effectively, it is important to find the exact cause. In some cases, it can be due to normal digestive issues. While chronic pain can also be a sign of some serious health issue. In this article, Dr. Deepak Goyal explains some possible causes of stomach pain that every parent must know.

Stomach pain causes in children

Abdominal pain is a common symptom in children. An episode of abdominal pain in children can be caused due to infections, indigestion, constipation, etc, hence parents need to be watchful of the signs.

Eating too much too less is also a possible cause of stomach pain. Poor eating habits like consumption of highly processed foods and deep fried foods is also one of these. 

Food infection which is usually accompanied with other symptoms can also lead to stomach pain. Abdominal pain can also be a result of infection in stomach, kidney, bladder or others. 

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Several aspects determine the severity of the condition, such as location and duration of the pain, the appearance as in whether the child is looking sick or is comfortable and other associated symptoms such as vomiting, fever, change in bowel habits or decrease appetite. Parents should always be mindful of these facts.

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Parents need to remember that simple causes of abdominal pain do not last long. If it prevails for more than a few days and is associated with other major symptoms, chances are it might be caused due to problems other than simple viral infections such as abdominal TB, Inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers, food allergy, malabsorption, etc.

Immediate consultation is advised in such situations. A thorough history, clinical examination and relevant investigations by a pediatric are needed if the pain is recurring or persisting.

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(Dr. Deepak Goyal, Sr. Consultant & Lead, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi and a Patron of SeekMed)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.