Tummy pain is very common in children. Finding the cause, and spotting the rare serious ones, is what matters
Almost every child complains of a sore tummy at some point. A childhood abdominal pain consultation works out whether it is a common, harmless cause or something that needs further care.
Is it mainly hard or infrequent stools? The constipation consultation looks at that in more detail.
See Constipation Consultation →Most tummy pain in children has a simple cause
Constipation, a stomach bug, gas, and worry are the most common reasons. Serious causes are uncommon, but they matter, so the visit is built around separating the two with a careful history and examination.
What an abdominal pain consultation covers
Where it hurts, when, and what comes with it, point to the cause.
Location and character
Around the belly button, one side, or constant versus coming in waves.
Timing
After meals, at school, at night, or lasting for weeks.
Other symptoms
Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, urine symptoms.
Food and bowel habits
What your child eats, and how they pass stool.
Examination
A gentle tummy examination and general check.
Stress and wellbeing
School, friendships and worries, which can show up as tummy pain.
Get urgent help if a child with tummy pain
Don't wait for a routine appointment.
- Has severe pain, or pain that is getting worse
- Has pain moving to the lower right side of the tummy
- Has green or bloody vomit, or blood in the stool
- Has a swollen, hard tummy
- Has a fever with significant pain
- Is very pale, drowsy or unwell
- Has a painful groin or testicle swelling
- Has had a recent injury to the tummy
What is usually behind it
Many are harmless and settle with simple care.
Constipation
By far the most common cause of recurrent tummy pain.
Stomach bugs
Pain with vomiting or diarrhea.
Functional pain
Real pain without a physical cause, often linked to stress or worry.
Less common causes
Urine infection, food intolerance, reflux and, rarely, appendicitis or other urgent problems.
What your child's visit includes
A conversation about the pain
Where, when, how often, how long, and what makes it better or worse.
A careful examination
Tummy, general condition and signs of illness elsewhere.
Telling common from serious
Pointing out any features that need more investigation.
Tests, only when needed
Urine, blood or scan tests are advised only when the picture calls for it.
Treatment and a clear plan
Care for the cause, and what to watch for at home.
What to bring
Helping the doctor see the full picture
A pain diary
When it happens, how long, and what was going on.
A stool and food diary
Bowel habits and any foods that seem to trigger it.
Medicines already given
Including pain relief.
School and home stresses
Anything that has changed recently.
Dr. K. Sushma
Dr. Sushma takes tummy pain seriously and calmly, listening to both parent and child, and explaining clearly when it is harmless and when it is not.
Questions parents often ask
Recurrent tummy pain is very common, and in most children no serious cause is found. It is still real pain and deserves a proper look, to be sure and to help.
Appendicitis causes pain that usually moves to the lower right, gets worse, and comes with fever, vomiting and not wanting to move. If you think this is happening, seek care urgently.
Only if the history and examination suggest it will help. Most children with tummy pain don't need one.
Yes. The gut and the brain are closely connected, and worry can cause real pain. Gentle support, and finding what's worrying your child, can help.
Tummy pain worrying you or your child?
Book a consultation with Dr. K. Sushma at our Pragathi Nagar clinic.
