Children often complain of stomachaches, but how do you know when it’s something serious? There are several conditions that can cause significant abdominal pain in children, and recognizing the signs is crucial for timely treatment.
A yeast infection can occur if the skin is damaged or in warm, humid conditions. It can also arise from a weakened immune system or antibiotic use, as antibiotics can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria, leading to yeast overgrowth. Girls may experience abdominal pain during ovulation, but it’s important to rule out appendicitis in cases of lower abdominal pain. A fever combined with a bad cough could indicate pneumonia, which can sometimes cause a stomachache.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) is another condition that can cause serious abdominal pain. SOD can lead to pancreatitis, a severe swelling and irritation of the pancreas, characterized by pain around the belly button and on the left side under the ribs. Symptoms accompanying this pain include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Diagnosis of SOD typically involves identifying these symptoms and conducting further medical evaluations.
An intra-abdominal abscess, a collection of pus or infected fluid inside the abdomen, is a serious condition that can result from bacterial infection, especially following surgery or abdominal trauma. It can cause inflammation and damage to healthy tissue if left untreated.
Functional abdominal pain is a common cause of chronic belly pain in children. This occurs when the nerves in the gut send pain signals to the brain without any actual damage to the GI tract. Possible causes include previous infections, genetics, diet, and stress.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal illness primarily affecting premature babies. It involves the damage and death of intestinal cells, leading to inflammation of the colon.
Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes blocked, swollen, and inflamed. If not treated, the appendix can burst, spreading the infection throughout the abdomen. Symptoms include abdominal pain (starting near the belly button and moving to the right lower side), nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, pain upon touching the right side of the abdomen, low-grade fever, inability to pass gas, and changes in bowel patterns.
For more detailed information on these conditions, visit the University of Rochester Medical Center, Harvard Health Blog, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital – OHSU, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for comprehensive insights.
