Abdominal Injury (Child)

Home care

• The healthcare provider may prescribe medicines for pain. Follow the healthcare provider's directions when giving these medicines to your child. Don't give your child additional or other pain medicine unless you check with your healthcare provider.

• Comfort your child as needed. Help your child find positions that are more comfortable. 

• Play music or read to the child to help distract them from any pain.

• Hold your child carefully so that you don't put pressure on the injured area.

• Follow any directions about whether or not to give your child food.

• Watch for signs of shock (see below).

Follow-up care

Follow up as advised with your child's healthcare provider.

Special note to parents

Healthcare providers are trained to recognize injuries like this one in young children as a sign of possible abuse. Several healthcare providers may ask questions about how your child was injured. They must, by law, ask you these questions. This is done for protection of your child. Please try to be patient and not take offense.

When to get medical advice

Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by the healthcare provider

• Continuing abdominal (belly) tenderness or pain

• Poor appetite

• Vomiting

Call 911

Call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Blood in vomit, urine (pink to dark red), or stool (dark red or black)

• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting

• Any signs of shock. These include pale or bluish coloring, cool skin, listlessness (lacking energy), rapid heartbeat, or rapid shallow breathing.

• Belly (abdominal) swelling

• Belly tenderness or pain that gets worse