Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is not uncommon in children.  Constipation is a frequent cause of abdominal pain in children.  This type of pain is a generalized discomfort in the "belly button" area.  It can start and stop suddenly and can actually mimic more serious abdominal occurrences such as appendicitis. 

Appendicitis can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.  If you suspect this type of situation in your child, medical evaluation is a necessity, as appendicitis is a medical emergency. You should contact your doctor immediately or take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Diarrhea is also a common occurrence in children. Frequently, dietary changes contribute to a child's loose stools. If your child has persistent diarrhea for more than two weeks or blood in the stool, the doctor should be contacted for further instruction. Infants are more prone to dehydration than older children; therefore, the doctor should be contacted sooner when diarrhea affects infants or smaller children.