Abdominal Pain
Advice for Parents and Carers
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
- Is going blue around the lips
- Becomes confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
- Has green or blood stained vomit
- Develops severe pain despite pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Has testicular pain (especially in teenage boys)
- Is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
You child needs urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Develops a swollen tummy
- Has blood in their poo or wee
- Experiences constant pain for more than 1 day despite pain killers
- Has pain on urination (going for a wee)
- Becomes increasingly thirsty
- Is weeing significantly more or less than normal
- Develops yellow skin or eyes
- Has weight loss
- 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
- Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or more for more than 5 days
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
At peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed. 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, then consider taking them to your nearest ED
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
- Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, contact NHS 111 – dial 111 or for children aged 5 years and above visit 111.nhs.uk
Information to help the health professional - substance:
- What substance did your child swallow or touch?
- When did this happen? How long ago?
- How did they come into contact with it? Did they swallow, breathe it in, lick it, etc.?
- How much of the substance was taken?
Information to help the health professional – your child:
- How old is your child and what is their estimated weight?
- Do they have any existing medical conditions?
- Are they taking any medications or treatments?
- Do they have any allergies?
What to do after seeking advice or being discharged from the hospital:
- Monitor your child for the next 1-2 days.
- Let them eat or drink normally.
- Follow the steps above if you are concerned about your child.
- Read the “Prevention is Better Than Cure” advice below.
- 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
- Find more advice on tummy ache