A child's bump is sensitive, so come Abdominal pain in infants and children very often. Abdominal pain does not always have a serious cause, but pain in the abdomen can also be a signal for psychological stress or an acute illness.
What characterizes abdominal pain in children?
Depending on the cause, abdominal pain in children manifests itself in different abdominal regions and intensities. These are triggered by digestive problems, constipation or an intestinal infection. If the symptoms are harmless, parents can relieve their child's pain with gentle home remedies. If in doubt, a doctor should always be consulted, for example if the pain persists for more than 24 hours.
If the little ones just “just” feel uncomfortable, they can be soothed by a massage or a lot of affection. A serious illness, however, is when the pain occurs suddenly and severely. Some children react to abdominal pain with apathetic behavior or listlessness. Others refuse to eat, scream or lie in bed with their legs drawn up.
If you also have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, or if the abdominal flap feels hard, then it is essential to see a doctor. Such symptoms are clear signs of a disease that urgently needs medical attention.
causes
The causes of abdominal pain in children are many. Babies can quickly develop bloated tummies if they swallow a lot of air while sucking. And if the potty does not work so well, constipation also manifests itself in pain and discomfort. Constipation is when the child only needs to go to the toilet once a week and has very firm stools.
Food intolerance could be another cause of stomach ache. Since children still have sensitive stomachs, they react quickly to very fatty and sweet foods and large meals. Abdominal pain in schoolchildren can also be of a psychological nature, for example if they are unable to cope with the pressure at school or if they have fears and worries.
Very severe pain indicates an acute illness such as appendicitis, urinary tract infection, or pelvic kidney disease. Colic, poisoning or worms are not uncommon reasons for abdominal pain in children.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Intestinal polyps
- Inguinal hernia
- allergy
- Gastric ulcer
- Intestinal obstruction (ileus)
- Appendicitis
- Cystitis
- Pelvic inflammation
- poisoning
- Food intolerance
- Gastric perforation
- abdominal influenza
- Worms in the stool in children
- Biliary colic
Diagnosis & course of disease
If the child has a stomach ache, parents should first localize and analyze the pain. This is much easier when the child is already talking. Also, only schoolchildren can describe whether the pain feels dull or sharp. Parents can use the following guiding principle as a guide: The further the pain is from the navel, the more likely it is that it has a physical cause.
The situation is different with pain around the navel. Because then they may be psychological or there are slight complaints such as a bloated stomach or constipation. Parents can also ask the child to hop on both legs. If this movement causes abdominal pain, then there is irritation of the peritoneum.
This is the case, for example, with advanced appendicitis. Often parents can tell when their child is in severe pain. Then, for example, it distorts the face or becomes pale. And if diarrhea, vomiting, bloody stool or even a fever occurs, the child needs medical treatment immediately.
Complications
Abdominal pain in children is usually harmless, but it can also be the body's alarm signal. An acute abdomen, for example, manifests itself as sudden abdominal pain and can lead to intestinal obstruction, gastric perforation or heart attack.If you have reflux disease, the abdominal pain can be the first sign of Barrett's ulcer, an inflammatory disease of the esophagus, and in the further course increase the risk of esophageal cancer and other secondary diseases.
Serious illnesses such as kidney inflammation, urinary tract infection, and even pneumonia can also manifest as pain in the abdomen and intestines. If the complaints are not treated early enough, there is a high probability that these diseases will break out and further complications will result. Abdominal pain, which is triggered by inflammation of the appendix, leads to complications in the course of the disease, such as inflammation in the abdominal cavity up to rupture of the appendix.
Persistent abdominal pain in children usually occurs as a result of typical infectious diseases such as measles, mumps or scarlet fever. A possible complication is accordingly the spread of the pathogen elsewhere, which can lead to otitis media, sinusitis and other diseases in the further course. The blood can also be poisoned by the bacteria, as is the case, for example, with the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Usually, however, abdominal pain in children does not result in serious complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
When children experience abdominal pain, parents are often helpless. You can wait a while, but if in doubt, see a doctor. Pediatricians are responsible for children. If necessary, you can also ask your own family doctor. The parents should go to the doctor or emergency service at any time of the day or night if the child's complaints persist.
There are so many causes of abdominal pain in children that only a professional can determine them. The palette ranges from too much air in the stomach to growing pains and psychological stress. It is certainly helpful if information about the last meal and the rest of the day can be given.
When the children are still young, they cannot tell anything about their pain. Even slightly older children often find it difficult. If the small belly is swollen, an immediate visit to the doctor is necessary. The specialist will listen to the child, feel the abdomen and, if necessary, take a blood count or prescribe certain food and medication. If in doubt, an internist will be consulted and / or the child will be x-rayed.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
Parents can calm their child down with a gentle massage for stomach pain without a serious cause. If the child can be soothed by intensive cuddling and caressing, a dangerous illness can be excluded. It often helps if the child is put to bed and covered. A pillow under the knee also relieves the stomach. In the case of constipation, plenty of exercise and sufficient fluids should also help.
For some forms of abdominal pain there are tried and tested home remedies such as a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow. Chamomile or fennel tea are beneficial for flatulence. Caraway and anise teas relieve the symptoms of digestive disorders. If the child cannot eat well because of digestive problems, rusks and broth can help relieve an upset stomach.
Parents can also give gentle homeopathic remedies to the child if the cause of the pain is known. However, not every home remedy works equally well for all children. A lot of patience is required from the parents here. If the pain is severe and the cause is not yet known, the child should stop eating and drinking. Painkillers are also taboo in children.
On the one hand, these can endanger the health of the child, on the other hand, such pain relief could also make diagnosis by the doctor more difficult. After the diagnosis, the pediatrician will give the child the necessary medication. In the event of an infection, an antibiotic would be an option.
Outlook & forecast
Abdominal pain in children often has no serious cause and is uncomfortable, but goes away again. The metabolism develops over many years and does not tolerate some things as well as that of an adult. The result can be temporary abdominal pain in the child.
Since every child is mentally differently fast in its development, stress, excitement, anticipation or other strong (positive as well as negative) feelings can have a psychosomatic effect and end in stomach ache. As long as the abdominal pain does not accumulate or become increasingly frequent, is associated with severe pain or other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or fever, it will go away on its own.
However, caution should be exercised if abdominal pain occurs in children with these symptoms. First, there is a risk of dehydration. Furthermore, the cause should be clarified, because it can be something harmless or something dangerous such as poisoning or a gastrointestinal infection.
Children quickly swallow something that they shouldn't have eaten, but that can be treated if what they found is discovered in good time. If abdominal pain occurs without further symptoms, but more frequently than in other children of the same age, you should also be examined by a doctor in this case, as it cannot be assumed that the frequency of these abdominal pain in the child will regulate itself.
Prevent
Some types of abdominal pain occur again and again in children, for example when they have a tendency to gas or constipation. Parents can prevent such complaints by letting their baby burp more often or by massaging the stomach regularly.
Small children should learn to take their time eating and to chew every bite well. And if they exercise a lot in the fresh air during the day and drink enough, children also complain less of stomach aches. In addition, a balanced diet rich in fiber prevents constipation and other digestive disorders.
You can do that yourself
Abdominal pain in children is usually not a problem and goes away quickly. Various effective and proven home remedies can be used for self-help. A hot water bottle or fennel tea often helps to alleviate the symptoms. Teas with aniseed and caraway seeds also soothe an upset stomach and can be taken in combination with rusks and similar light meals.
A stomach massage or a walk in the fresh air are also effective. Simple gymnastic exercises such as the well-known “cycling” loosen slight constipation and effectively relieve stomach pain. In addition, distraction by cuddling, playing games or having stories read aloud helps to relieve pain and to recover quickly. Eating a healthy, high-fiber diet with non-carbonated beverages and no gas-filling foods like cabbage or legumes also helps.
Abdominal pain in toddlers can often be alleviated by regular breastfeeding. A circular massage around the navel with caraway seed oil or something similar can also reduce the infant's discomfort. If these measures do not bring relief, the further treatment steps should be discussed with a doctor. Chronic or particularly severe abdominal pain in children should always be clarified by the family doctor or pediatrician.
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