Abdominal pain in children

Provided by: Healthwise
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Illustration of the abdominal quadrants and regions in a child.

Illustrations copyright 2004 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

Generalized pain occurs in 2 or more sections of the abdomen.

Localized pain is confined to or is most intense in one section of the abdomen. Localized pain that comes on suddenly and gets steadily worse may mean a problem with an underlying organ. A serious problem may be present if other symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or fever, develop after the abdominal pain started. Localized pain is also more worrisome if the pain starts in more than one area of the abdomen (generalized) and then becomes localized.

Medical Review:Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Last Updated: 02/16/2007

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