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Stomach Pain

11 March 2026

Stomach pain is one of the most common complaints in children. The causes are numerous and diverse:

  • Common causes: constipation, viral infections, bacterial infections, parasites, urinary tract infection, food poisoning, food allergies, food intolerances, poisoning, overeating, and children's chronic stomach pain.
  • Less common causes: Appendicitis, bowel obstruction, testicular or ovarian torsion.
  • Emotional causes: Stomach pain can sometimes occur because of emotional stress, fear or anxiety. If the pain recurs and medical causes have been ruled out, it is advisable to seek emotional support.

Home care

  • In most cases, stomach pain can be managed with rest, plenty of fluids, and a bland diet, such as rice, potatoes, or clear broth.
  • You can use pain medication (acetaminophen is preferred over ibuprofen).
  • If constipation is the cause, ensure the child drinks plenty of fluids and eats high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and prune juice; also encourage regular toilet time.

When to seek medical attention

Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following signs: severe and sudden pain that does not subside, particularly if it is on the lower right abdomen, signs of dehydration, lethargy, yellowish skin and sclera (the white part of the eye), green or bloody vomit,  blood in the urine, bloody diarrhea, a swollen abdomen, symptoms that continue for over five days, and in boys: testicle pain.

Stomach pain is one of the most common complaints we hear from our children, and there are many different causes. Most cases are minor and resolve quickly. However, some medical conditions require urgent medical attention. So, how do you know when to prepare a cup of tea and when to head to the ER? Here, we will cover the various causes of stomach pain, explain how to care for your child at home, and describe the signs that require medical care.

Common signs of stomach pain in babies and toddlers

Parents of babies or young children will not always hear 'my tummy hurts'. In infants, it might be gas.

When the child has not yet started talking, pay attention to their body language: pulling their legs toward their stomach, inconsolable crying that worsens when the abdomen is touched, or a complete refusal to eat or drink. These signs may indicate stomach pain.

Possible causes of stomach pain

Common causes

This is very common in children (though less frequent in infants) and can cause stomach pain. Constipation may recur occasionally and can last for several days or even weeks. It is often caused by a diet lacking in fluids, fresh fruits and vegetables, and high-fiber whole grains.

Various viruses (often referred to as 'stomach viruses'), including Rotavirus, Norovirus, Enterovirus, and Adenovirus, are the most common causes of stomach pain. These are often accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. These viruses are highly contagious and common in daycares, preschools, and other settings. This type of infection usually subsides on its own within 2 to 5 days and does not require specific medical treatment.

Various bacteria can cause stomach pain, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. These infections typically subside within 5 to 10 days. A bacterial infection can cause severe stomach pain, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool and high fever. Children may appear sicker than they do during a viral infection. Some cases require antibiotics; therefore, you should consult your primary care physician.

Various types of parasites can cause stomach pain, chronic diarrhea, anemia and fatigue, and occasionally even bowel obstruction. If a suspicion of parasite infection arises, your physician will refer you for a stool parasites test.

Eating contaminated food can cause stomach pain within a few hours, typically accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. In most cases, the symptoms subside in less than 24 hours.

As children get older, a urinary tract infection causes frequent urination and a burning sensation during urination. In younger children, the infection may only be indicated by pain in the lower abdomen. In this case, it is essential to contact your primary care physician.

Certain types of allergies (immune system reaction) present with stomach pain. If the complaint recurs after eating a certain type of food, it is recommended to contact your physician for further evaluation.

This is a reaction of the digestive system that occurs after consuming a food component that a child is sensitive to, such as lactose, which is the sugar found in milk (this applies to animal milk, not breast milk). Food intolerance is usually accompanied by gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If these symptoms recur, it is advisable to contact your primary care physician.

It happens when someone eats something not meant for consumption, like soap, pesticides, batteries, or an overdose of medications.

Note: Keep hazardous substances out of reach of children. Learn more about preventing poisoning

They can stick to both sides of the intestine and cause a rupture. These are critical risk factors that lead to severe abdominal pain and require immediate emergency care.

Learn more about preventing choking on foreign objects

Occasionally, even overeating can cause bloating and temporary discomfort. This pain usually occurs shortly after eating.

There are cases where chronic, recurring abdominal pain can be a sign of a type of migraine. However, for most children with chronic abdominal pain, no clear cause is found. After ruling out medical reasons for the pain, emotional or psychological factors are considered (see below).

Less Common Causes

  • Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix can initially cause pain in the center of the abdomen that does not go away. Later, the pain moves lower to the right side and does not subside quickly. Children with appendicitis often stop eating. If symptoms appear, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
  • Intestinal Obstruction: Blockage or thickening of the intestines can occur for several reasons, such as when a portion of the intestine gets trapped in a hernia or when the intestines twist around themselves. This usually causes severe pain and vomiting. In such cases, immediate medical attention is needed.
  • Torsion of the Testicles or Ovaries: Twisting of the spermatic cord or ovary can cause severe lower abdominal or testicular pain. These symptoms require rapid medical or surgical evaluation.

Emotional causes

Alongside physical causes, abdominal pain in children can sometimes result from strong emotions such as stress, fear, or anxiety. For example, worry about a school test, a conflict with a friend, changes at home, or a period of alarms and security threats can manifest as stomach pain. It is important to note: the pain is real, even if no medical cause is found. In such cases, the pain arises from the way the body and mind affect each other.

One way to identify pain from emotional causes is during sleep: emotional pain usually does not wake the child from deep sleep, whereas pain from a physical cause does.

If abdominal pain recurs, especially when linked to emotional stress, support should include not only medical care but also emotional care. It is important to try to identify emotional triggers. Talk with your child about any worries at home, school, with siblings, relatives, or friends. If this does not help, consider seeking emotional or psychological support.

Learn more about stress and anxiety in children and treatment options

Home care

In most cases, abdominal pain can be managed at home with the following measures:

  • Rest.
  • Plenty of fluids: Do not drink large amounts at once (this may trigger vomiting); instead, take "small sips" – a teaspoon every few minutes, especially if vomiting occurs.
  • Light diet: such as rice, potato, or clear soup.
  • Pain relievers can be given in age-appropriate doses (acetaminophen is preferred over ibuprofen unless recommended otherwise by a doctor).
  • In case of constipation: drink plenty of fluids, provide fiber-rich foods such as dried fruits (from age 5 and up), fruits, vegetables, and prune juice. Encourage sitting on the toilet – often pain eases after bowel movement.

When to seek medical care

The following medical situations require immediate attention at a medical center or emergency room:

  • Sudden severe pain that does not go away, especially in the lower right side of the abdomen, which may indicate appendicitis.
  • Signs of dehydration: less frequent urination, dark urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes, little or no tears, or sunken soft spot on an infant's head.
  • The child appears pale, limp, drowsy, or difficult to wake.
  • The skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow.
  • Severe pain that persists even after taking pain relievers.
  • Repeated vomiting with green color or blood.
  • Blood in urine, diarrhea with blood, difficulty urinating.
  • Swollen or distended abdomen.
  • Fever and symptoms lasting more than 5 days.
  • For boys – testicular pain.

When to seek medical attention

  • Constipation in infants up to one month old: It is very important to see a doctor if 48 hours pass without a bowel movement. After one month of age, a few days without a bowel movement may be normal, but medical evaluation is recommended if the baby appears to be in pain.
  • Constipation in formula-fed infants: See a doctor if two to three days pass without a bowel movement and the constipation seems to cause discomfort or pain.
  • Constipation in toddlers and children: If constipation continues after two days of home treatment and they complain of pain, medical evaluation is advised.

It is also important to seek medical advice if the child experiences frequent constipation.

Notice

Notice

Infants under one year can become dehydrated more quickly, so it’s important to watch for warning signs. Even if your baby appears healthy, if you have any concerns or worries, you should contact their doctor.

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