One of the most common causes for abdominal pain in children is the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis (gas-tro-in-ter-I-tis). It's usually caused by bacteria or a virus and may cause your child to vomit, have diarrhea, a fever, or all of those symptoms. The symptoms will probably last for several days and disappear on their own. Bed rest and plenty of liquids are usually the recommended treatment. The appetite should come back after a day or so of feeling better. After a day or two of vomiting and diarrhea, children, especially those under six months of age, often become dehydrated. Look for eyes that appear sunken in, dry skin, or skin that wrinkles easily. Also be careful if your child's not urinating very much or if the mouth is dry. These can be additional symptoms of dehydration and should be tended to immediately. Contact a healthcare provider for more information about the stomach flu or dehydration.
