Chronic abdominal pain

We describe chronic abdominal pain as vague, recurring pain around the stomach lasting for days, weeks or even months. It is very common; some doctors estimate as many as 20 percent of children will be affected by it at some point during their childhood. Sometimes a treatable cause can be determined, but more often a specific cause is not found. Doctors, parents and children alike are often frustrated and anxious to not have a cause to point to and a defined way to treat the pain.

Symptoms
The pain is usually located around the belly button and often occurs several times over the course of a week. It may be accompanied by paleness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and headache, but it is usually not associated with specific events or foods. The pains may be associated with stress and social pressures, and some doctors report chronic abdominal pain is more likely to occur in bright, competitive children of either sex.

Symptoms that are not typical of chronic abdominal pain, which may indicate a specific medical problem include:

• Pain that occurs at night and wakes the child.
• Pain the child reports around the edges of the stomach rather than the center.
• Persistent vomiting.
• Blood in the stool.
• Loss of weight.
• Fever, constipation, painful urination, chronic cough and pain after eating specific foods such as dairy products or acidic foods.

Treatment
Your physician may want to do some screening tests to determine if there is an underlying disease causing the pain, including a urine test, blood counts and stool exams.

What you can do

• Keep a weight chart of your child. If he or she continues to grow and gain weight, it's highly likely the child is healthy.
• Talk to your child about pressure he or she may be feeling in school or social activities. You may want to consider eliminating something from his or her schedule if your child's schedule doesn't allow for any relaxing "down" time.
• Encourage your child to participate in normal activities.
• Keep a diary of when pain occurs and look for associated events.

• If mild, chronic pain becomes steadily worse, interfering with sleep and other routine activities.
• If your child experiences painful or burning urination.
• If fever goes above 101 degrees F.
• If there is blood in the child's stool.

Physician Referral Online A free and confidential service of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Physician Referral Online Using your own criteria, you can request information from a database of 900 area physicians who have registered to participate. Request an appointment We would be happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment with a member of the hospital's medical staff. Use the link above or call: 203-688-2000 or toll-free 1-888-700-6543 to talk with a referral coordinator.

Reviewed: Vita Goei, MD
Last revised: June 6, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.