{"id":1510,"date":"2022-06-08T09:10:04","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T09:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/?p=1510"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:12:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:12:55","slug":"stomach-pain-in-kids-common-causes-of-stomach-pain-in-children-and-when-to-worry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/stomach-pain-in-kids-common-causes-of-stomach-pain-in-children-and-when-to-worry\/","title":{"rendered":"Stomach Pain in Kids: Common Causes of Stomach Pain in Children and When to Worry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Children&#8217;s stomach pain can mean anything, from indigestion to irritable bowel syndrome. That is why it is crucial to educate yourself on the common causes of stomach pain in kids and when to seek professional help. In this comprehensive article, you will learn about some of the most common reasons your child may be experiencing abdominal pain and how to relieve aches. You will also find helpful tips on when to reach out for medical assistance. When in doubt, we recommend consulting a <\/span><a href=\"\/ana-hpmd\/pediatrician-miami-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>pediatric care specialist<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for expert help. If your child&#8217;s symptoms do not resolve on their own and they worsen, it is best to talk to a medical professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, what are the common causes of children&#8217;s stomach pain, and when is it a serious concern? Find out below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Can Cause Stomach Pain in Kids?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stomach pain and abdominal aches are widespread among children of all ages. Children&#8217;s stomach pain can be caused by various things, including anxiety about an upcoming event, needing to use the toilet, overeating (or too little), or a stomach bug. Usually, stomach aches are one of the most common reasons why parents take children to the doctor. However, many of the causes of stomach pain in kids are not severe, and the symptoms resolve on their own. Here are some of the most common reasons why your child may experience abdominal pain:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constipation, irritable bowel, or colic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stomach bug or infection (such as bladder or kidney infections, gastroenteritis, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indigestion or other food-related issues such as food allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Appendicitis, intussusception, or bowel obstruction (may cause sudden or acute pain)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anxiety or stress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Period pain (some girls may experience pain before starting their menstrual cycles)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poisoning, such as smoking, eating soap, or spider bites<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some children experience occasional stomach aches, while others may deal with repeat attacks of pain. Although neither should be disregarded, the latter can be more concerning. For expert advice, we recommend specialists such as <\/span><a href=\"\/ana-hpmd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ana Hernandez Puga MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the best pediatrician in Miami.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In some cases, stomach pain in kids may be due to feeling anxious or worried about the people around them (or themselves). We suggest having a heart-to-heart conversation with your child about kindergarten, school, home, friends, or other potentially upsetting topics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The cause of your child&#8217;s stomach pain can vary depending on where they are feeling the sensations. In the following sections, you will find a brief overview of the potential causes of stomach pain, depending on the location of the ache.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Right Side Pain\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1512 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain-.jpg\" alt=\"Child Lying on Sofa in the Living Room With Stomach Pain\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain--800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/Right-Side-Pain-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your child feels pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, they may have appendicitis. This term refers to a severe medical emergency that can lead to sharp and sudden pain in the child&#8217;s lower right side of the stomach. Although right side pain does not have to hint at appendicitis, it might. In order to stay safe, we recommend checking in with your healthcare provider for guidance and accurate diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Other common symptoms of appendicitis may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Appetite loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Difficulties passing gass<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Again, consult a medical expert immediately if your child complains about right side pain. If the condition is diagnosed early, the risk of severe complications and a ruptured appendix will be decreased.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Left Side Pain<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although right side pain may seem more alarming, left side pain may also require immediate medical attention. Namely, children complaining of left side stomach pain may have pancreatitis in some cases. However, in most cases, left side pain is caused by constipation. If you are still in doubt, talk to your child&#8217;s pediatrician.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Belly Button Pain<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is one of the most common complaints among children? It is none other than belly button pain. If your child is typically experiencing aches or pain around the belly button area, it is nothing serious. According to the experts, pain in this area may signal eating something that does not agree with the stomach or anxiety and stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the child is experiencing belly button pain, you can try to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer them a glass of lukewarm water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encourage them to rest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ask them if they need to use the bathroom<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Read them a book or distract them with a game<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Again, if the belly button pain does not resolve on its own (or the symptoms become more severe), talk to a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Upper Abdomen Pain<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indigestion is one of the most common causes of upper abdomen pain. Other signs of indigestion may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bloating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heartburn<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Burping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pain or aches in the middle section of the upper belly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Experts claim that indigestion typically happens after the child consumes a particular food item. You may want to be mindful of what your child ate so this unpleasant experience is avoided in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, gallstones may also cause aches in the upper right side of the abdomen. Although gallstones are rarer in children than in adults, obese kids and kids with certain medical conditions such as sickle cell disease are at high risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Can I Help Relieve Stomach Pain in Kids?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nothing is worse than when your child complains about stomach aches and pains, and you do not know what to do. Fortunately, here are some fool-proof ways to help your child with stomach-related issues. Before proceeding to the home remedies, make sure your child:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gets enough rest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Passes gas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has a proper bowel movement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recovers from a stomach bug or virus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Typically, most stomach aches and pains resolve on their own without the need for medical help. Although there is no special treatment for an aching stomach, there are specific at-home remedies that may soothe abdominal pain. Here is what you can do to help alleviate stomach pain in kids:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve aches and pain (but consult with a healthcare professional before doing this)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use a heating pad to alleviate pain and cramps<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer soups or crackers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer plenty of fluids to keep the child hydrated (unsweetened tea and plain water are best)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Give the child a stool softener or encourage hydration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer a probiotic supplement<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>When is Children&#8217;s Stomach Pain Serious?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1513 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious.jpg\" alt=\"Doctor Working With Little Patient in Hospital\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/06\/When-is-Childrens-Stomach-Pain-Serious.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Overall, stomach pain in children is common and usually harmless. Although the pain may feel sudden and sharp, it typically resolves on its own. However, if your child is displaying some of the following signs, seek out immediate medical assistance. The alarming symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cough and fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pain when peeing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood in the stool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequent constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recurring stomach aches without clear reasons<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking or acting ill<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unexplained and rapid weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sharp pain that prevents your child from sleeping or pain that is affecting everyday activities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kidshealth.org\/en\/kids\/abdominal-pain.html#:~:text=Infection%20by%20bacteria%20or%20a,too%20long%20and%20went%20bad.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">cause of the stomach pain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may not always be apparent. Sometimes, the child&#8217;s doctor may want to perform tests such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A urine test<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A stool sample<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood tests<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">X-rays<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Other special tests<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the positive side, stomach aches and pains in children are often temporary and harmless. However, if you feel concerned, we are here to help. Our team of professionals will provide you with the best diagnosis and treatments possible. Give us a call today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Children&#8217;s stomach pain can mean anything, from indigestion to irritable bowel syndrome. That is why it is crucial to educate yourself on the common causes of stomach pain in kids and when to seek professional help. In this comprehensive article, you will learn about some of the most common reasons your child may be experiencing  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[334,331,333,332],"class_list":["post-1510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids","tag-belly-button-pain","tag-childrens-stomach-pain","tag-right-side-pain","tag-stomach-pain-in-kids"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/pediatrics\/ana-hpmd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}