Abdominal Pain with Unknown Cause, Male (Infant/Toddler)
Abdominal (belly) pain is common in children. But children often don't complain of pain because they don't have the words to describe what's wrong. They also have trouble describing where it hurts. Often, they just feel bad or don't want to eat. This can make belly pain hard to diagnose in young children. Also, belly symptoms are linked to many problems. Most of the time, the cause of belly pain in children isn't serious and will go away.
Over the next few days, your child's belly pain may come and go or be constant. It may be hard to decide if your child has pain or is feeling something else. Your child may be nauseated and vomit, or have constipation, diarrhea, or a fever. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your child has nausea because they just feel bad and don't know that feeling is nausea. Your child may touch their belly a lot or show they have pain when their belly is touched.
Belly pain may continue even when it is being treated correctly. Sometimes the cause can become clearer over the next few days and may need more or different treatment. More tests or medicines may be needed.
Home care
Your child's health care provider may prescribe medicine for pain and symptoms of infection. Follow the instructions for giving these medicines to your child.
General care
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Comfort your child as needed.
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Try to find positions that make your child more comfortable. A small pillow placed on the belly may help provide pain relief.
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Distraction may also help. Some children may be soothed by listening to music or having someone read to them.
Diet
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Don't force your child to eat, especially if they are having pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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Water is important to prevent dehydration. Soup, frozen ice pops, and oral rehydration solution will help. Give liquids a small amount at a time. Don't let your child drink a lot at one time.
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Don't give your child fatty, greasy, spicy, or fried foods.
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Don't give your child dairy products if your child has diarrhea.
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Don't let your child eat large amounts of food at a time, even if they are hungry. Wait a few minutes between bites, and offer more if there are no problems.
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Follow any eating instructions from your child's provider. Ask for the instructions in writing if you're worried you won't remember the information.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child's health care provider, or as advised. If tests or studies were done, they'll be reviewed by a specialist. You'll be told of any new findings that may affect your child’s care.
Special notes to parents
Keep a record of symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Note what your child was doing when the symptoms started, such as eating or going to the bathroom. This may help the provider make a diagnosis.
Call 911
Call 911 if your child:
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Has trouble breathing.
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Has trouble waking up.
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Faints or passes out.
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Has a fast heart rate.
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Has a seizure.
When to get medical advice
Contact your child's health care provider or seek medical care right away if your child:
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Has a fever. (See Fever and children, below.)
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Can't stop crying or is irritable.
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Has ongoing symptoms, such as severe belly pain, bleeding, painful or bloody urination, nausea and vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
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Has swelling in the belly or their belly wall becomes rigid and hard.
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Has a recent history of injury or trauma to the belly.
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Has recently had surgery and is having any symptoms.
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Has a painful, swollen, or inflamed scrotum.
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Does not pee or have wet diapers.
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
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Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
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Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used first. The health care provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
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Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used first to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.
Use the rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel okay using a rectal thermometer, ask the provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your young child has a fever. Your child’s provider may give you different numbers for your child. First, ask the provider how you should take your child's temperature. Follow your provider’s specific instructions.
Fever readings for a baby under 3 months old:
Fever readings for a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Call the provider in these cases:
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Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age
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Fever of 100.4° (38°C) or higher in baby younger than 3 months
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Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2
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Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older