A Podful of Pediatrics

The One Where We Talk About Tummy Aches

Episode Summary

Tummy aches are one of the most common complaints in kids—but what do they really mean? In this episode of A Podful of Pediatrics, Dr. Joanne Smith and Dr. Corinda Hankins unpack everything from common culprits like constipation (spoiler: it’s more common than you think!) to red flags that signal something more serious, like appendicitis, IBD, or intestinal emergencies. 👶 Learn why belly pain is often dramatic after eating 💩 How kids can be constipated even if they poop every day 🚨 When to worry: vomiting, poor growth, blood in stool & more 🧠 Functional belly pain, gut-brain connections, and stress 🔍 Plus: real-life kid examples (yes, including the ones who eat earbuds) We break down treatment options—from behavior changes and diet tweaks to safe medications like Miralax—and explain what to do when belly pain leads to encopresis, GERD, or chronic illness. 💡 Whether you're a worried parent or just curious, this episode will give you peace of mind and practical tools to better understand your child's belly pain. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more pediatric advice with a dose of humor.

Episode Notes

  1. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/poop-chart-bristol-stool-scale
  2. Pashankar DS, Loening-Baucke V, Bishop WP. Safety of Polyethylene Glycol 3350 for the Treatment of Chronic Constipation in Children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003;157(7):661–664. doi:10.1001/archpedi.157.7.661 
  3. Annuals of Pharmacotherapy. 2004 Apr;38(4):686-93. 
  4. Loening-Baucke V, Pashankar DS. A randomized, prospective, comparison study of polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes and milk of magnesia for children with constipation and fecal incontinence. Pediatrics. 2006 Aug;118(2):528-35.  
  5. Pashankar DS, Loening-Baucke V, Bishop WP. Safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 for the treatment of chronic constipation in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2003 Jul;157(7):661-4.  
  6. Koppen IJ, Lammers LA, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM. Management of Functional Constipation in Children: Therapy in Practice. Paediatr Drugs. 2015 Oct;17(5):349-60.  
  7. Gordon M, Naidoo K, Akobeng AK, Thomas AG. Cochrane Review: Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation (Review). Evid Based Child Health. 2013 Jan;8(1):57-109.  
  8. Kappelman MD, Moore KR, Allen JK, Cook SF. Recent trends in the prevalence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in a commercially insured US population. Dig Dis Sci 2013; 58:519.
  9. Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA. What Is New in Rome IV. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 23:151.
  10. Hyams JS, Di Lorenzo C, Saps M, et al. Functional Disorders: Children and Adolescents. Gastroenterology 2016.
  11. Rexwinkel R, Vlieger AM, Saps M, et al. A therapeutic guide on pediatric irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:2603.
  12. Martin AE, Newlove-Delgado TV, Abbott RA, et al. Pharmacological interventions for recurrent abdominal pain in childhood. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 3:CD010973.
  13. Newlove-Delgado TV, Martin AE, Abbott RA, et al. Dietary interventions for recurrent abdominal pain in childhood. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 3:CD010972.
  14. Stróżyk A, Horvath A, Szajewska H. FODMAP dietary restrictions in the management of children with functional abdominal pain disorders: A systematic review. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022; 34:e14345.
  15. van Rheenen PF, Aloi M, Assa A, et al. The Medical Management of Paediatric Crohn's Disease: an ECCO-ESPGHAN Guideline Update. J Crohns Colitis 2020.
  16. Stenke E, Hussey S. Ulcerative colitis: management in adults, children and young people (NICE Clinical Guideline CG166). Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2014; 99:194.

17)https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/930146-overview#a4

18) https://www.paediatricpearls.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bristol-stool-chart.png