Tummy Ache
Tummy pain in children is common. Most children do not need tests or treatment and the pain will get better by itself.
Common causes include:
- Constipation
- Urine infection
- Tummy bugs (gastroenteritis, or diarrhoea and vomiting)
- Viral infections
- Sore throat
- Threadworms (check if your child has an itchy bottom)
- Period pains
- Worry or anxiety
- Trapped wind
Less common causes include
- Appendicitis
- Abdominal migraines
- Testicular or ovarian torsion
- Diabetes
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Has dark green or blood stained vomit
- Has severe pain even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Has testicular pain or swelling
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
If your child has any of the following:
- Has a swollen tummy
- Has blood in their poo or wee
- Has tummy pain that doesn’t go away for more than 1 day even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Is very thirsty or is weeing a lot more than normal
- Has yellow skin or eyes
- Is losing weight
- Is vomiting and unable to keep down any fluids
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
- Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
The following conditions often cause tummy pain:
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Periods (take simple painkillers and ring your GP surgery if not getting better)
Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms.
Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies.
If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
In school aged children, physical symptoms such as abdominal pain can commonly occur if they are feeling anxious. Learn more about how you can help your child if they are feeling worried.
Self care and Prevention
What should you do?
- Give them their normal food and plenty of fluids.
- Give them pain relief such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
- If your child also has runny poos (diarrhoea), try to avoid them getting dehydrated (see diarrhoea and vomiting information).
How long will your child’s symptoms last?
- This will depend on the cause of their abdominal pain.
- If they are constipated, their pain may improve once they have had a poo.
- If they have diarrhoea or vomiting it may last a couple of days.
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