Bloating in Children

Children typically can’t express that they’re bloated. Rather, they often describe it as having a tummy ache. According to Betsabe Petit, M.D., a pediatrician at Pediatrix® Urgent Care of Texas, common symptoms of bloating include a tight and full stomach, mild pain, increased passing of gas and a distended abdomen. "It's normal and expected to pass gas six-20 times a day. However, when this frequency increases and we see their abdomen full and distended, it's very likely they are bloated," said Dr. Petit. Causes of bloating range from swallowing air, constipation, food sensitivities, digestion troubles and irritable bowel syndrome. "If you have tried dietary restriction and your child does not improve—or if your child has another concerning symptom like bloody stools, failure to thrive, decreased appetite, frequent vomiting, dizziness, paleness or intense pain—talk to your pediatrician," said Dr. Petit. "They can rule other conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease."

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