Children frequently have chronic abdominal pain. Between the ages of 3 and 18, one out of every four children experiences stomach pain that lasts longer than three months. One of the most common reasons that parents seek the guidance of a paediatric gastroenterologist is for this reason.
Chronic abdominal pain in children is a stomach discomfort that lasts longer than two months and does not respond to standard therapies. The child has most likely been treated for acid reflux, gastritis, or dyspepsia. For weeks or months, they are given home remedies, deworming, antibiotics, and anti-acidity medications.
Absenteeism from school is also a common occurrence due to abdominal pain. In the absence of effective treatment and care, it can lead to poor self-esteem in children and a sense of helplessness in parents. It also has an impact on a child’s appetite and might result in stunted growth.
Dr. Supriya Rastogi, the best pediatrician in Faridabad would like to share this knowledge with parents whose children suffer from stomach problems on a regular basis.
What causes abdominal pain in children?
There are several reasons why a kid may feel stomach pain. It might be anything as basic as constipation or as serious as Celiac Disease or IBD. Chronic stomach pain in children who do not respond to traditional treatments might indicate an underlying condition that needs to be investigated, according to Dr. Supriya Rastogi.
“If the child’s initial treatment or medication for abdominal pain does not help, a paediatric gastroenterologist should be consulted.”
In children, the location of the pain does not always anticipate the cause of the pain, thus a step-by-step approach is required to rule out all probable causes. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can have a negative impact on children’s development.
The following are some potential reasons of persistent recurring stomach discomfort in children:
- Constipation
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Acid Reflux Disease
- Food allergy or intolerance
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Pancreatic diseases
- Appendicitis
“Some of these disorders, if not addressed on time, might necessitate surgical intervention; hence, quick diagnosis and treatment is important.”