Symptoms of abdominal pain and constipation in kids

Look for the following common signs of abdominal pain in babies and toddlers:

• Crying
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• A sudden refusal to eat
• The symptoms of intussusception include a cycle of screaming fits, with or without vomiting, alternating with quiet periods.

Crying may exacerbate the pain of appendicitis so greatly that a suffering infant will not cry. Instead, look for irritability and flexing of the hips (pulling the legs up to the stomach), as well as a general appearance of illness and signs that moving is painful.

Older children who can talk will usually complain of "a sore tummy".

Constipation
With constipation, bowel movements are infrequent and stools are hard and difficult to pass.

The average newborn passes three to six loose, runny stools per day. Breastfed babies usually have frequent stools – sometimes one with every feeding. As babies grow older, the number of bowel movements usually decreases – one to two stools per day at age one, and one every day or two after that – and stool size increases.

However, bowel frequency varies widely and some breastfed infants have a bowel action of normal consistency only every two, three or four days. Older children may be equally infrequent.

It is important for parents to realise that there are many "normal" patterns. Sometimes children's faces turn red and they appear to strain to pass a stool, but if the stool is soft and the child has no other problems, this is not a concern.

Most children will occasionally become constipated. Usually this is a short-term problem requiring only home treatment. However, some children are frequently constipated (chronic constipation).

The myth of serious toxic effects caused by unpassed stools has long been discounted: only the lower bowel is affected. Nevertheless, these minor issues may eventually lead to serious problems for some children.

Constipation in infancy
The commonest cause of abnormal, infrequent defecation in infancy is underfeeding, whether on breast or bottle. Underfeeding in the first month or two of life may lead to the passage of small, semi-liquid, dark-green stools.

Constipation also results from insufficient fluid intake, especially during an illness. Some babies may have unduly active water absorption.

Constipation can also be due to a change in feed or routine. Casein-containing milk formulae are more likely to constipate than low-casein varieties.