Why is abdominal pain difficult to evaluate in children?
The history and physical exam is the key to evaluating abdominal pain in children. Infants may present with vague symptoms such as poor feeding, irritability and sleepiness. Toddler’s often can’t describe their symptoms well. When a toddler is asked where the pain is located, they often point to the entire belly or to the middle (at the belly button) regardless of the cause or location of the pain. Young children may also have difficulty telling the difference between pain, nausea, or general malaise.
