Abdominal pain - children under age 12: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if your child collapses, is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, or has severe abdominal pain after a major injury.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical care now if your child has:
severe pain, rapidly worsening pain, or a hard, swollen tummy
green vomit, blood in vomit, or a large amount of blood in stool
pain with unusual sleepiness, confusion, marked weakness, or very pale skin
signs of serious dehydration, such as very little urine or inability to drink
sudden abdominal pain with testicle or groin pain
episodes of intense pain with vomiting, limpness, or drawing up the legs
Arrange same-day medical advice for persistent or worsening pain, repeated vomiting, fever with an unwell appearance, pain moving to the lower right side, pain when urinating, or blood mixed into stool.
A baby younger than 3 months with abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or poor feeding should also be assessed promptly.
And for anyone, someone who:
has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Book a routine appointment if pain keeps returning, disrupts school or sleep, or is linked to ongoing constipation, diarrhoea, poor appetite, weight loss, or slowed growth.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Abdominal pain - children under age 12. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.