Common Questions, Quick Answers: Pediatrics

Acute Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain)

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: December 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

• What is acute abdominal pain?
• Who can get it?
• What causes the pain?
• What should I do?
• How can the pain be treated?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is acute abdominal pain?

• Acute abdominal pain is a sharp pain in the stomach.
• It is usually around the bellybutton.
• Acute pain happens all of a sudden.
• The pain can last several minutes or hours.
• It happens within minutes or over a few days.

Who can get it?

• Stomach pain is very common in children.

What causes the pain?

• The stomach pain may or may not be caused by illness.
• The following symptoms could be due to an urgent condition. Call your doctor if your child has:
  • Stomach pain for more than 1 hour.
  • Very sharp stomach pain.
  • Diarrhea, bloating, or gas.
  • Vomiting, especially if vomit is dark green or yellow.
  • Few bowel movements.
  • Sour taste in the mouth.
  • Chest pain.
  • Bulging in the groin or scrotum.
  • Fever, chills.
  • Pain with urination, very little urine, strange colored urine.
  • Blood in the stool or black stools
  • Burning pain that gets better after eating
  • Pain that starts after eating certain kinds of food.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Jaundice (yellow color to skin).
  • Weight loss or poor weight gain.
  • Child cannot stand tall. Pain makes him bend at waist.
  • Pain in testicle or scrotum.
  • Difficulty breathing.
• If your child does not have these symptoms, follow the instructions in the "What should I do?" section below.

What should I do?

• Keep watching your child. Call your doctor if he has stomach pain for more than 1 hour or very sharp stomach pain.
• Take his temperature.
• Do not force your child to eat. Have him drink plenty of clear fluids if he will take them.
• Understand that even if you can't find a reason for it, your child's pain is real.
• Do not treat your child as if he is "faking it." Do not punish him for complaining of pain.
• Have him lie down until he feels better.
• A heating pad or hot water bottle might help him feel better.

How can the pain be treated?

• The doctor will examine your child to see what is causing the pain.
• If needed, blood, urine, or x-rays may be ordered.
• Your child's treatment will depend on the cause of the pain.
• The doctor may tell you to keep watching your child for signs of illness. Treatment may include medicine or even surgery.

When should I call the doctor?

• See "What symptoms should I look for?" above.
• Call your doctor if your child has stomach pain for more than 1 hour or very sharp stomach pain.
• Call the doctor if pain gets worse.
• Call the doctor if you suspect your child has symptoms of another condition.
• Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Quick Answers

• Acute abdominal pain is a sharp pain in the stomach.
• Stomach pain is very common in children.
• The stomach pain may or may not be caused by illness. Watch your child's symptoms in case he may be ill.
• If your child has other symptoms with the pain, such as diarrhea, fever, or vomiting, call the doctor.
• Do not force your child to eat. Have him drink plenty of clear fluids if he will take them.
• The doctor may want to test your child to see what is causing the pain.
• Call your doctor if your child has stomach pain for more than 1 hour or very sharp stomach pain.

References

• FamilyDoctor.org. Abdominal Pain, Acute. 1996 (cited 2001 October 26). URL: http://www.familydoctor.org/flowcharts/527.html
• Health Square. Abdominal Pain in Children. (cited 2001 October 26). URL: http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0514.htm
• KeepKidsHealthy.com. Abdominal Pain. 2001 (cited 2001 October 26). URL: http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/cgi-bin/MasterPFP.cgi
• KidsGrowth.com. Stomach Pain is Common. 1999-2001 (cited 2001 October 26). URL: http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail.cfm?id=35

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