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Abdominal Pain

Advice for professionals

Click here to view the abdominal pain paediatric pathway. 

Tummy pain in children is common. Most children do not need tests or treatment and the pain will get better by itself.

Common causes include:

  • Constipation
  • Urine infection
  • Tummy bugs (gastroenteritis, or diarrhoea and vomiting)
  • Viral infections
  • Sore throat
  • Threadworms (check if your child has an itchy bottom)
  • Period pains
  • Worry or anxiety
  • Trapped wind 

Less common causes include

  • Appendicitis
  • Abdominal migraines
  • Testicular or ovarian torsion
  • Diabetes

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Has dark green or blood stained vomit
  • Has severe pain even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Has testicular pain or swelling
  • Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink 
  • Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
  • Breathing that stops or pauses
  • Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
  • Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
  • Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
  • Has a fit (seizure)
  • Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
  • Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features

You child needs urgent help

Please phone 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency (A+E) department- consider using ‘What 3 words’ to best describe location to ambulance service

If your child has any of the following:

  • Has a swollen tummy
  • Has blood in their poo or wee
  • Has tummy pain that doesn’t go away for more than 1 day even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Is very thirsty or is weeing a lot more than normal
  • Has yellow skin or eyes
  • Is losing weight
  • Is vomiting and unable to keep down any fluids 
  • Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
  • Dry skin, lips or tongue
  • Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
  • Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
  • Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
  • Is 3-6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
  • Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
  • Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
  • Getting worse and I am still worried

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today

Please ring your GP surgery or contact NHS 111 for advice – dial 111 or for children aged 5 years and above visit 111.nhs.uk

 

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.

If your child:

  • Is alert and interacts with you
  • Develops diarrhoea & vomiting but no red or amber signs
  • Experiences pain associated with menstruation in a girl
  • Is frequently constipated
  • Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms.
  • Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here
  • If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.

In school aged children, physical symptoms such as abdominal pain can commonly occur if they are feeling anxious. Learn more about how you can help your child if they are feeling worried.

 

This guidance was last reviewed 27/06/2025.

  • Ensure your child has regular drink (clear fluids), pain relief (paracetamol/ ibuprofen should be given as per manufacturers instructions) and food if they want to eat.
  • If your child also has runny poos (diarrhoea), try to avoid them getting dehydrated (see diarrhoea and vomiting information).
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