Children and Young People’s Emergency Department
Abdominal pain (tummy ache) is one of the most common causes for parents to seek medical advice for their children; most children will experience abdominal pain at some time during their childhood.
Simple abdominal pain in children is usually located in the centre of the tummy, or covers a large part of the abdomen. It usually resolves quickly without treatment and has a variety of causes.
Most abdominal pain can often be effectively treated at home, with support from your GP or health visitor as appropriate. However some more serious cases may require hospital admission, for further investigations and, or treatment.
What can cause abdominal pain in children?
Abdominal pain in children can have a variety of causes the main ones are:
Infection
Infection can be caused by either bacteria or viruses; viral infections get better on their own without medication although your child may have diarrhoea and vomiting for a few days. Bacterial infections may need to be treated with antibiotics. Your health care provider will be able to advise if these are necessary.
Food related
Food poisoning, food allergies, excessive eating, and gas production can all cause abdominal pain. Food related issues are often associated with bloating and temporary discomfort. The onset of pain is usually rapid and follows eating.
Poisoning
Poisoning can range from a simple problem such as your child eating something they should not have for example soap, to overdoses of medication either accidental or intentional.
Surgical problems
Surgical problems such as appendicitis, blockage of the bowel and intussusception (when a portion of the intestines moves inside itself), testicular torsion, ovarian torsion can all cause abdominal pain and require rapid medical or surgical assessment.
Medical causes
Medical problems such as constipation, heartburn, reflux and mesenteric adenitis (swollen abdominal lymph nodes, usually following a viral illness).
What can I do to help my child?
- Encourage your child to rest
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration (if your child is breastfeeding continue to offer your child breast feeds). Do not insist that your child eats if they do not feel hungry
- Encourage your child to sit on the toilet and to see if passing urine or a stool (poo) helps to ease the pain
- Give analgesia (pain relieving medication) such as Paracetamol. Always follow the instructions on the packaging carefully and never give more than the recommended dose. Avoid the use of ibuprofen unless advised by a medical practitioner as this can irritate the stomach lining
- Give antibiotics or other medication prescribed by a health care professional always follow the instructions carefully and complete the prescribed course
- Give re-hydration fluids such as dioralyte if recommended by a health care professional.
Do not give your child drinks or foods that are irritating to the stomach, avoid:
Caffeine
Fizzy drinks
Citrus
Dairy products
Fried or greasy foods
High fat foods
Tomato products
Seek medical advice or assistance if:
- Your child has had a temperature and diarrhoea for more than 24 hours
- Your child has vomited for more than 24 hours
- The pain is worsening, becoming more severe or has moved position
- Your child has a fever
- Your child becomes pale, sweaty, sleepy or you are unable to distract your child from their pain with play
- Your child is refusing to drink
- Your child has blood in their vomit or stool (poo)
- Your child is having difficulty passing urine or is having fewer wet nappies than normal
- Your child develops a rash
Further information
For further advice and information about your condition, please choose from the following:
- ‘NHS Patient Choices’ website: www.nhs.uk
- ‘Making Lives Better’ patient website: www.patient.info
- Telephone NHS 111
- Contact your General Practitioner
Contact details
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- The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
Telephone: 01642 850850 - The Friarage, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG
Telephone: 01609 779911 - Redcar Primary Care Hospital, West Dyke Road, Redcar, TS10 4NW
Telephone: 01642 511000
If you have any medical concerns or need advice please contact 111, for further information regarding this leaflet please contact [email protected]
This email will be monitored 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]
The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW.
Telephone: 01642 850850
