A paediatrician examining a child with stomach pain
Parent guide · Gut & digestion

Stomach Pain in a Child

Stomach pain in a child can come from constipation, infection, food-related problems, reflux, inflammation, stress or functional abdominal pain. The location, timing, severity, bowel pattern, appetite, growth and associated symptoms help determine the likely cause.

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Common signs

What parents may notice

  • Pain that keeps returning
  • Pain linked to meals or bowel movements
  • Night-time pain
  • Poor appetite or weight loss
  • Vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
  • Blood in stool
  • Pain that affects school or play
Possible reasons

What can cause it?

Common causes include constipation, viral illness, indigestion and functional pain. A child may also need evaluation for coeliac disease, inflammation, urinary problems, food-related symptoms or other conditions. Online symptom lists cannot diagnose the cause.

When to book

When should your child be assessed?

  • Pain is recurring or persistent
  • Growth, appetite, school or sleep is affected
  • There is vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or blood in stool
  • The child has lost weight
  • The pain has not improved with an initial treatment plan
Urgent warning signs

When to seek immediate care

  • Severe or rapidly worsening pain
  • A rigid or markedly swollen abdomen
  • Green or bloody vomiting
  • Black or significant bloody stool
  • Collapse, unusual drowsiness or severe dehydration
At the specialist visit

How the concern may be evaluated

  • Detailed pain and bowel history
  • Growth, hydration and abdominal examination
  • Selective blood, urine, stool or imaging tests
  • A treatment plan matched to the likely cause
Prepare

What to do before the visit

  • Record when and where the pain occurs
  • Note meals, stool pattern and associated symptoms
  • Bring growth records and previous reports
  • List all medicines and supplements
Clinical owner
Relevant Lavender Lane paediatric speciality
Location
Sector 90, Noida
Last updated
August 2026
Questions parents ask

The real questions, answered.

Not what we wish you'd ask. What you're actually thinking when you find this page.

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Can stress cause stomach pain in children?

Stress can contribute to functional abdominal pain, but persistent pain should not be assumed to be psychological without an appropriate medical assessment.

Can constipation cause pain even if my child passes stool daily?

Yes. A child can still retain stool or pass incomplete, painful or hard stools despite going regularly.

When does stomach pain need urgent care?

Severe worsening pain, green vomiting, blood, collapse, marked swelling or unusual drowsiness requires urgent assessment.

Will my child need an ultrasound?

Not every child needs imaging. Tests are chosen according to the history and examination.

Should I remove foods before the visit?

Avoid major restriction without professional advice unless a clear, immediate reaction has occurred and urgent allergy guidance has been given.

Persistent symptoms deserve a clear next step.

Speak with Paediatric Gastroenterology or contact our team to organise the right starting point.

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