Question
A seven-year-old boy has been experiencing abdominal pain since he was four and a half years old. After undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, he was diagnosed with gastritis, and his symptoms disappeared after two months of treatment. However, in the past ten days, his abdominal pain has recurred, with pain spreading throughout his entire abdomen. The boy is prone to catching colds and coughing and has suffered from pneumonia multiple times. Local doctors believe it is a gastrointestinal issue, but the pain persists despite medication.
Answer
Abdominal pain in children can be caused by various factors, including gastritis, colds, and pneumonia. Abdominal pain is often a characteristic symptom of a cold in children. It may appear in the early stages of the disease, with varying degrees of pain, commonly occurring around the umbilicus or in the lower right abdomen, presenting as intermittent or persistent and without marked tenderness. Abdominal pain in children can pose a threat to their health, and if not addressed promptly, it may lead to severe consequences. The key to treating pediatric abdominal pain lies in timely and accurate diagnosis. If a child’s abdominal pain is severe and does not subside, immediate medical attention should be sought.