Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Has your child had a recent injury to the abdomen?
See significance of an injury if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Note: Do not allow your child to eat or drink until you have talked with your child's health professional.
Yes Has your child had any bleeding from the rectum, urethra, or vagina that started after an injury to the abdomen?
Yes Does pressing on your child's abdomen cause severe pain?
Yes Is your child's abdomen swollen or hard (rigid) to the touch?
Yes Has your child's pain localized
below the right or left ribs?
Yes Has your child had an abdominal wound that penetrated deeper than a scratch?
Yes Do you think your child's injury was intentionally caused by another person?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Note: Do not allow your child to eat, and allow only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your child's health professional.
Yes Has your child vomited more than one time following an injury to the abdomen?
Yes Does your child still have pain when pressing on the abdomen 1 hour after an injury?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your child had nausea or has he or she vomited one time in the last 24 hours?
Yes Is your child less hungry than normal in the last 24 hours?
Yes Has your child had an ongoing mild stomachache for 24 hours but no other symptoms?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 16, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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