Abdominal Pain: Outpatient

Abdominal pain (pain in the stomach area) can happen for many reasons. At this time we cannot determine if your child’s pain is caused by a more serious illness. It is very important that you watch your child closely for the next 24 hours.

• Follow up with your child’s doctor.
• Have your child rest until he or she feels better.
• Take your child’s temperature. If he or she feels warm or if symptoms or behavior change, see below. Do not ignore symptoms that continue or get worse.
• DO NOT USE LAXATIVES OR ENEMAS unless your child’s doctor tells you it is okay.
• DO NOT use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
• Give medicine for pain only if the doctor allows it.

Go Back to Your Child’s Doctor or the Emergency Department if Your Child Has:

• Severe pain lasting more than one hour.
• Vomiting blood or dark green fluid; constant vomiting and child cannot drink liquids.
• Heavy or labored breathing
• Pain or burning when urinating; or blood in the urine or stools.  If he urinates less often or makes less urine than normal.
• Pain around the belly button that moves to the lower right part of the belly.
• Constant pain, even if it’s not severe, or pain that gets worse with activity.
• Swollen abdomen or severe pain when the abdomen is touched.
• Pain in the groin or testicles.
• Pain along with vaginal discharge.
• Constant high fever.
• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

Food and Drink – Follow Any Instructions Checked Below:

• Your child may have his or her usual foods. Encourage the child to rest and drink plenty of liquids.
• Infant younger than 6 months – You may give these clear liquids: Infant Pedialyte®, breast milk or formula, or juice.
• Child older than 6 months – Give clear liquids. This includes water, plain fruit popsicles, Gatorade®, flavored gelatin and clear fruit drinks.
• Your child should NOT HAVE SOLID FOODS for the next 8 hours. Solid foods include soups, ice cream, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, etc. Reason: if more tests or surgery are needed, it is best to have nothing in the stomach.

Abdominal Pain: Outpatient (PDF) 

HH-I-316 10/09 Reviewed 2/16 Copyright 2009, Nationwide Children’s Hospital