Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Evşen Çetin emphasized that it is the best approach to consult a doctor for abdominal pain that develops in children.
Mentioning that abdominal pain is one of the most common findings in childhood, not specific to any disease, Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Evşen Çetin said, “Children are evaluated differently from adults because they are not reduced versions of adults. Most of the organs are located in the abdomen. Since the abdominal region is closer to other organs in children, pain is frequently seen in this region. explained in his words.
Evşen Çetin said that 4 out of every 1 children has occasional abdominal pain complaints more often in girls, and said, “The reason for this is that girls experience urinary tract infections and digestive problems more frequently. In addition, abdominal pain complaints, which are seen at a rate of 2 percent in children around the age of 3, increase to 5% in the 7-5 age group, and up to 8 percent in the 12-25 age group. said.
Beware of stomach and intestinal infection!
Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Evşen Çetin stated that the most common cause of abdominal pain in children is a stomach and intestinal infection called 'gastroenteritis', which occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. In addition, constipation, food poisoning, digestive problems such as lactose sensitivity, problems in the liver, intestines or biliary tract, infectious diseases such as urinary tract infection and pneumonia, and side effects of some drugs can cause abdominal pain, and in cases such as appendicitis that require surgical emergency intervention, severe Stating that there may be abdominal pain, Çetin said, "The child, who is evaluated by the pediatrician, may need to be referred to the relevant specialist for therapy or spiritual support."
When to apply to the doctor?
Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Evşen Çetin warned that if there is even one of the symptoms listed below, a doctor should be consulted. Çetin said, “If abdominal pain wakes you up from sleep, prevents you from being interested in something else, if there is high fever and intense weakness, if blood is seen in the stool, if there is cough or burning in the urine, if there is swelling and rash on the face, if there is dizziness, if the skin looks pale, if there is vomiting, you should not eat with vomiting. if it prevents it, causes unexplained weight loss or slowdown in growth.”
What diseases can it indicate?
Dr. Evşen Çetin gives the following information about the diseases that abdominal pain can indicate in children:
”If the abdominal pain started around the navel and went down to the lower right side of the abdomen, if there is appendicitis, abdominal pain and vomiting, swelling in the abdomen, gas and bowel obstruction in case of inability to defecate, urinary tract infection if there is frequent urination and burning in the urine, if there is a history of trauma and pain, intra-abdominal organ If it is accompanied by injury, intermittent cramping, swelling in the abdomen, a palpable mass in the upper part of the abdomen and a strawberry jelly-like stool, there may be situations such as intertwining of the intestine.”