Abdominal Pain (Stomachache): When to Seek Care

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 3, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 3, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Abdominal pain is common and often improves with time, but the pattern matters. A child's age, how severe or localized the pain is, ability to walk and drink, urination and stools, vomiting, fever, and changes in alertness help determine how quickly care is needed.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

When in doubt about a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Your child is not breathing normally, turns blue or gray, is limp or unresponsive, cannot be awakened, or you believe your child is in immediate danger

  • Your child collapses, faints and does not recover promptly, has a seizure, or is too weak to stand or stay awake

  • There are signs of shock or severe illness, such as confusion, cold or mottled skin, extreme weakness, or markedly decreased responsiveness

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • Pain is sudden, severe, constant, or rapidly worsening; your child cannot walk normally, will not move, walks bent over, or pain is worse with walking, jumping, or riding in a car

  • The belly is hard, markedly swollen, or very tender, or there is abdominal pain after a significant injury

  • Pain begins near the belly button and moves to or becomes focused in the lower right side, especially with loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, or worsening pain; appendicitis needs prompt evaluation

  • Vomit is clearly green, contains blood, or looks like coffee grounds; there is blood in the stool or black, tar-like stool; or your child cannot keep fluids down

  • There is sudden testicle or scrotum pain, swelling, redness, or a high-riding testicle, with or without belly pain, nausea, or vomiting. Go directly to an emergency department; do not wait to see if it improves

  • A button battery, high-powered magnet, water bead, sharp object, medicine overdose, or poison may have been swallowed. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately; do not wait for symptoms

  • An infant has repeated episodes of intense crying with legs drawn up, a swollen belly, vomiting, or bloody/mucus-like stool

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • Pain continues more than a few hours, is getting worse, keeps returning, or prevents normal activity, even if it is not severe

  • Your child has fever, repeated vomiting, diarrhea with significant pain, new rash, jaundice, poor appetite, or a lasting drop in energy

  • There is burning or pain with urination, frequent small urinations, new wetting accidents, blood in the urine, flank/back pain, or a change in urine amount

  • Your child has constipation with increasing pain or bloating, pain while passing stool, or blood on the stool or toilet paper. Constant abdominal pain should not be assumed to be constipation

  • A baby or young toddler seems unusually fussy, draws the legs up repeatedly, feeds poorly, has fewer wet diapers, or you are unsure whether the child is in pain

  • Your child has diabetes, sickle cell disease, immune suppression, kidney disease, prior abdominal surgery, an eating disorder, a known inflammatory bowel condition, or another condition that increases risk

  • A teen has lower abdominal or pelvic pain with possible pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, fainting, severe one-sided pain, or pain that is escalating

Common Clues That Help the Clinician

A stomachache can come from the digestive tract, urinary tract, throat, chest, genital organs, or another source. The same symptom can have many causes, so families do not need to diagnose it at home.

  • Constipation can cause lower-belly discomfort, bloating, painful or hard stools, stool withholding, or occasional stool leakage. It is common, but severe or constant pain needs assessment

  • A stomach virus may cause cramping with vomiting or diarrhea. Focus on hydration and the child's alertness; see Vomiting, Diarrhea and Dehydration: When to Seek Care for more guidance

  • Urinary tract infection can cause lower-belly pain, burning with urination, frequent small urinations, new wetting, blood in urine, or fever

  • Strep throat, pneumonia, and other infections can sometimes cause abdominal pain along with sore throat, cough, fever, or breathing symptoms

  • Recurrent pain can be related to constipation, food intolerance, or gut-brain interaction. It still deserves a clinician's review when it interferes with meals, sleep, school, growth, or usual activities

Safe Home Care When Pain Is Mild and Improving

Home care is reasonable only when your child is alert, breathing normally, taking fluids, urinating, and has none of the warning signs above.

  • Offer regular fluids. Do not force food; offer usual age-appropriate foods as tolerated if your child is interested

  • Encourage your child to rest, use the toilet when needed, and avoid strenuous activity until the cause is clearer and the pain is improving

  • Do not give laxatives, enemas, anti-diarrheal medicines, or leftover prescriptions for new or severe abdominal pain unless a healthcare professional has advised them for your child

  • Do not give medicine solely to make severe or worsening pain go away before seeking care. If a clinician has already given you a medication plan, follow that plan

  • Watch the trend: worsening pain, new fever, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, less urination, blood, green vomit, or decreased alertness mean the plan should change

What to Have Ready When You Call

  • Your child's age, medical conditions, medicines, and the time the pain started

  • Where the pain is, whether it moves, whether it comes and goes or is constant, and whether movement, coughing, eating, urination, or a bowel movement changes it

  • Temperature and how it was measured; vomiting or diarrhea; stool appearance; urine symptoms; last urination or wet diaper; and whether your child is drinking

  • Any recent injury, travel, illness exposure, possible swallowed object, medicine or chemical exposure, menstrual or pregnancy possibility in an adolescent, or testicle/scrotum symptoms

Related Guides

  • Fever and Illness: When to Seek Care

  • Vomiting, Diarrhea and Dehydration: When to Seek Care

  • First Aid for Children's Common Injuries

Sources and Medical Review

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Abdominal Pain in Children: 7 Possible Causes: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Appendicitis in Children and Teens: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Testicle Pain and Testicular Torsion: Why It Is an Emergency: Read source

  • MedlinePlus, Abdominal Pain - Children Under Age 12: Read source

  • Poison Control, Get Help: Read source

  • Poison Control, Toy Magnets Are Dangerous for Children: Read source