What Are the Most Common Causes of Stomach Pain in Toddlers?

1. Intraabdominal diseases: acute gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, intestinal cramps, intestinal and biliary ascariasis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, acute necrotizing enteritis, viral hepatitis, congenital common bile duct cysts, Various pancreatitis, various peritonitis, liver abscess, sub-diarrheal abscess, urinary tract infection, bacterial dysentery, etc.

Abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms in childhood. There are many causes of abdominal pain, involving almost all diseases. It can be both internal and external abdominal lesions; it can be organic or functional; it can be an internal medical condition, or it can be a surgical condition, and it can even be an internal medical condition at first. Surgery-based. In terms of treatment methods, some abdominal pains require surgery urgently, and some abdominal pains do not require surgery; some abdominal pains are initially treated conservatively, and surgery is required thereafter. For those who urgently need surgery, misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and delayed surgery can cause serious consequences and even endanger life. Conversely, those who do not need surgery and perform unnecessary surgery will not only increase the patient's pain or even worsen the disease.

Causes of abdominal pain in children

Pediatric medical diseases of children with abdominal pain

1. Intra-abdominal diseases: acute gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, intestinal cramps, intestinal and biliary ascariasis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, acute necrotizing enteritis, viral hepatitis, congenital common bile duct cysts, Various pancreatitis, various peritonitis, liver abscess, sub-diarrheal abscess, urinary tract infection, bacterial dysentery, etc.

2. Extra-abdominal diseases: respiratory diseases (upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, lobar pneumonia, acute pleurisy), cardiovascular diseases (acute heart failure, pericarditis, myocarditis), allergic diseases (allergic purple scar, urticaria , Asthma), neurological diseases (intercostal neuralgia, abdominal epilepsy), metabolic diseases (hypoglycemia, uremia, porphyria), infectious diseases (typhoid, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis), and sepsis, bands Herpes zoster, lead poisoning, etc.

Children with abdominal pain and surgical diseases

Acute appendicitis, gastric and duodenal ulcer with perforation, mechanical intestinal obstruction, intussusception, mesenteric arterial embolism, acute intestinal torsion, ileal diverticulitis with perforation, obstruction, primary or secondary peritonitis, incarceration Inguinal hernia, urinary stones, hydronephrosis, ruptured liver, ruptured spleen, twisted ovarian cysts, twisted testicular pedicles, popliteal abscess, etc.

Abdominal pain symptoms in children

A comprehensive analysis should be conducted in combination with medical history and physical examination, supplemented by laboratory examination or other examinations if necessary, to make an early and correct diagnosis as soon as possible.

Children with abdominal pain age

Abdominal pain in children of different ages, and its prevalence of disease also varies. Such as intestinal cramps are more common in young infants under 3 months, often due to improper feeding or swallowing too much air. Intussusception, incarcerated hernia, and intestinal infections are more common in children under the age of two, and acute appendicitis and intestinal parasitic diseases are relatively rare. Gastrointestinal infections, intestinal parasitic diseases, mesenteric lymphadenitis, biliary ascariasis, lobar pneumonia, abdominal epilepsy, and allergic purpura are more common in older children.

Abdominal pain in children

Urgent onset is often of great significance for differential diagnosis. Sudden onset or exacerbations are often surgical diseases such as

Abdominal pain examination in children

Acute appendicitis, strangulated intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, intussusception, and inguinal hernia impaction. Patients with slow onset and persistent pain are usually medical diseases such as intestinal ascariasis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, enteritis, and viral hepatitis. However, it should be noted that sometimes the causes of chronic abdominal pain and acute abdominal pain can be the same. This is because of the disease. It is caused by changes in its properties at different stages. For example, the cause of ulcer is chronic abdominal pain, which is acute abdomen when combined with perforation. Therefore, for those with chronic abdominal pain, if the abdominal pain turns to persistent or sudden pain, attention should be paid to the possibility of acute abdomen.

The nature of abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain can be paroxysmal, persistent, or mildly dull. Paroxysmal pain or colic has obstructive disease. If local abdominal pain is relieved after a local hiatus or hot compress, it is usually spasms of cavity organs such as the stomach, intestines, bile ducts; persistent abdominal pain is more common in gastrointestinal perforation; persistent bluntness Pain, exacerbation and refusal to press when changing position, are often caused by inflammation of the abdominal organs, distraction of the capsule, and stimulation of the tumor and the visceral layer of the peritoneum. Faint pain is more common in peptic ulcers. Radiation pain is pain on the ipsilateral upper abdomen caused by a local lesion spreading through nerves or adjacent organs, such as lobar pneumonia. Abdominal pain is associated with defecation or difficulty urinating, which may be blocked feces, urinary tract infections, and stones. In short, the pain characteristics of abdominal organic lesions are: persistent dull pain, paroxysmal aggravation; local tenderness is obvious; there is abdominal muscle tension; abnormal bowel sounds.

Abdominal pain in children

Generally, the site of abdominal pain is consistent with the site of the lesion.

Abdominal pain in children

Should pay attention to the relationship between abdominal pain and fever.

Past history of abdominal pain in children

Children should be asked in detail if they have previous episodes of abdominal pain, fecal worms, and skin purpura. They should know whether there were trauma before the onset, diet hygiene, and what foods to eat, which can help diagnose the cause of abdominal pain.

Abdominal pain examination in children

Childhood abdominal pain laboratory test

Routine examination of blood and urine can sometimes provide diagnostic information such as hemoglobin and erythrocytes gradually decline. Be alert to the presence of internal bleeding. Elevated white blood cells often indicate inflammatory lesions. Observing the nature of the stool is helpful in the diagnosis of intestinal infections and intussusceptions. More red blood cells or pus cells in the urine suggest a urinary tract infection. If necessary, test for pancreatic amylase in blood and urine.

X X-ray examination of abdominal pain in children

A chest X-ray can show lung, pleura, and heart disease. Abdominal fluoroscopy and radiographic examination, if free gas under the diaphragm is found, suggest gastrointestinal perforation; trapezoidal liquid plane in the intestine, more inflated in the intestinal cavity, suggesting intestinal obstruction. If intussusception is suspected, air enema can be used to assist diagnosis and reduction treatment, but those with suspected visceral perforation are prohibited. Suspected urinary tract lesions can be taken plain film or intravenous pyelography.

B B-mode ultrasound for abdominal pain in children

Abdominal B-mode ultrasonography was performed when cholelithiasis, liver abscess, or subcondylar abscess were suspected.

Treatment of abdominal pain in children

Etiology of abdominal pain in children

Make corresponding treatment according to the cause. Give antispasmodics such as intestinal cramps. Biliary tsutsugamushi or tapeworm intestinal obstruction

Abdominal pain in children

Spasm and pain medication. Inflammatory diseases should be treated with effective antibiotics according to the etiology. Surgical abdomen should be treated promptly.

Symptoms of abdominal pain in children

1. Those with water and electrolyte disorders or shock should promptly correct water and electrolyte imbalances and anti-shock treatment.

2. Before the diagnosis of the cause is unclear, drugs such as morphine, durodin, and atropine are prohibited to avoid delay in diagnosis. Laxatives or enemas are contraindicated in patients with bowel perforation, bowel obstruction or appendicitis. Analgesics can be treated with general sedatives, vitamin K3 or acupuncture.

3 Characteristics of abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain in children of different ages and their predispositions also vary. For small infants under 3 years of age, their language functions are not yet fully developed, so they ca nt express their feelings in words. They only express their discomfort with crying and quarreling. At this time, parents must pay attention and observe the child The symptoms are easy to introduce to the doctor for easy diagnosis. Intussusception, intestinal colic, incarcerated hernia, and intestinal infections are common at this stage.

Intussusception of abdominal pain in children

For infants, especially paroxysmal cries under 2 years old, it is not easy to comfort. Crying lasts about 10-15 minutes, with an interval of 15 minutes to one or two hours. It can be accompanied by vomiting and dark red or jam-colored stools. Be careful, it may be intussusception. Intestinal colic in infants

It is more common in the early postnatal period, and it usually resolves after 4 months. The reason is not clear.

Childhood abdominal pain incarcerated hernia

It can also be seen in infants and young children. Generally, such children have a history of hernia. You must tell your doctor that parents should also pay attention to changes in the color of the hernia skin.

Abdominal pain in children

Appears as the baby suddenly crying loudly, the abdomen is inflated, the two fists are squeezed tightly, the legs and the abdomen are curled. More common in small infants within one year of age, abdominal pain caused by overeating milk, sugar, or swallowing a large amount of gas in the abdomen, resulting in abdominal pain.

Abdominal pain diet for children

Diet conditioning is very important for curing chronic gastritis in children. The general principle is that the food needs to be "fine, soft, tender, and rotten". Children are individuals who grow and develop, so food must be nutritious, such as milk, stewed eggs, fish, soy products, noodles, porridge, fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. . another

Abdominal pain examination in children

You can eat foods that are helpful for stomach digestion, such as yam, lentils, lotus seeds, chicken gizzards, pork belly, rice kernels, etc. Foods that should not be eaten include celery, bamboo shoots, fatty meats, and various fried foods. The following diet therapies are suitable for children:

1. 500 grams of white radish and 150 grams of honey. Divide the radish, cook it in boiling water and remove it. Dry it for half a day, add honey to the pot and boil over low heat, mix thoroughly, cool and bottle, and serve 3 tablespoons daily. Suitable for children with stomach pain, belching and acid reflux.

2. 220ml milk, 30g honey, 1 quail egg. Boil the milk first, beat the quail eggs, and cook for a few minutes before adding honey. Take every morning. Suitable for children with stomachache, thirst, appetite, constipation.

3, 20 grams of sugar, washed into 250 ml of soy milk, drink on an empty stomach after boiling. Suitable for children with dull stomach, cold hands and feet, and fear of cold.

4. Take 50 grams of lotus seeds, glutinous rice, and rice kernels, and 15 grams of brown sugar. The lotus seeds are swelled with boiling water, peeled to remove the heart, put in the pot and boil for 30 minutes, then add rice and rice kernels to boil, simmer over low heat until rotten, and eat with brown sugar. Suitable for children with middle and upper abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite and greasy tongue.

Abdominal pain in children may also be painful gastrointestinal growth

Gastrointestinal growth pain is a normal physiological phenomenon, more common in children aged 3-12 years of growth and development. To determine whether the child is suffering from gastrointestinal growth pain, parents can do the following observations: repeated attacks over a period of time, each pain time is short, generally not more than 10 minutes, the number of pain attacks varies depending on children, some several times a day, there are Several times per hour. The area of pain was mainly around the umbilicus, followed by epigastric pain. There is no regularity in pain, and the degree of pain is not consistent. The mild one is only abdominal discomfort, and the other is intestinal colic. It can be seen that children have unbearable pain.

Abdominal pain examination in children

The color is blue or white, and even nausea and vomiting can be heard. In general, the pain can be relieved quickly, and the children's mental state, food and play will resume as usual after the relief. ?

Gastrointestinal growth pain is due to the rapid growth and development of children, temporary insufficiency of the body's blood supply, and intestinal spastic contractions during temporary ischemia, causing pain; it can also cause intestinal wall nerves due to autonomic nerve disorders. Excitation and inhibition are not coordinated, and the intestinal smooth muscles are strongly contracted to cause pain, so it is medically called "intestinal spasm" in children. ?

Gastrointestinal growth pain in children is a normal physiological phenomenon and generally does not require treatment. When it hurts, you can apply hot compresses, massage the abdomen, or press and massage Zusanli to help relieve the pain. In addition, children with cold and cold foods can often induce abdominal pain. Therefore, parents must strictly control the children's diet, especially to eat cold drinks, take care not to let the stomach cold when sleeping. ?

Parents should also be reminded that there are many causes of abdominal pain, so all abdominal pain in children cannot be mistaken for children with gastrointestinal growth pain. If the pain lasts for a long time, and the pain is exacerbated when you press it with your hands: or the child is afraid of touching, you should consider the possibility of other diseases such as gastroenteritis, intussusception, and ascariasis.

Child abdominal pain notes

Abdominal pain in children is quite common, sometimes bloating, sometimes colic, but the pain is not consistent with the severity of the condition. Don't look at some of the pain is quite severe, the child cries, but after a period of time, the child is as good as ever. This is because the child has intestinal cramps. Once the cramps are relieved, the pain is immediately relieved, so the child starts jumping around again.

Other parents heard that the child was having a stomachache, so they brought a hot water bottle to give the child a hot compress. Gastrointestinal cramps

Calmly treat children with abdominal pain

The gastrointestinal cramps caused, especially those caused by cold and excessive meals, are effective, which can relieve gastrointestinal cramps and reduce pain.

However, some pains are not so simple. Instead, pressing and kneading will aggravate the condition and cause danger. For example, intestinal worm disease, this is also a common cause of abdominal pain in children. When certain factors stimulate the worm body, it can make the tapeworm crawl up and down to move, irritating the intestines and causing spasm pain. At this time, rubbing the abdomen will only stimulate the worm and even cause biliary ascariasis. Ascaris may also penetrate the delicate intestinal wall of young children and cause diffuse peritonitis.

Acute appendicitis is also more common in children. Appendicitis in children has no typical symptoms at an early stage, and there may be slight pain around the navel, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. The pain is not obvious when pressing. Children's immune function is poor, and perforation easily occurs when they have appendicitis. If the parents rub the child's belly at this time, or do a local hot compress, it may promote ulceration and perforation of the inflammation and pus, and form diffuse peritonitis.

Then there is intussusception. It is more common in young, especially obese children, because the intestinal blood supply is blocked, causing pain and necrosis over time. If you press and knead blindly, it may cause the insertion site to deepen and worsen the condition.

In view of the complicated causes of abdominal pain in children, parents should not infer the condition based on the degree of pain. Do not press the child by yourself. The best way is to take the child to a doctor as soon as possible.