Click here to view the abdominal pain paediatric pathway.
Abdominal Pain
Advice for professionals
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)
You child needs urgent help
Please phone 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency (A+E) department
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 a fever or symptoms continuing for more than 5 days
- Becomes increasingly thirsty
- Is weeing significantly more or less than normal
- Develops yellow skin or eyes
- Has weight loss
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 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 - see the constipation page
- 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
This guidance has been reviewed and adapted by healthcare professionals across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin with consent from the Hampshire development groups.
- 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