HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Child Has Stomach Pain, Is Sleeping More Than Usual, Has Fever And Is Pale.

default
Posted on Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Question: My 10-year-old son has had stomach pain for two days, this being the third. He has a body temperature of 97-98, is sleeping more than usual and is pale.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Andrew Rynne MD (30 minutes later)
Hi there.

Thank you for posting your question here. I will do my best to help you.

I would need to know the following to address your concern better:

(1) Has your son had any vomiting or diarrhoea with this pain?
(2) Can he point to where he is feeling the pain? If yes, then where is that in relation to his belly button - left or right, above or below? Or is the pain just defused throughout. Is it crampy or is it constant?
(3) Ask him to get out of bed and jump up and down on his toes. Does this make the pain worse?
Do you see, this could be appendicitis and if that is the case he will need urgent medical attention. Normal body temperature does not rule this out.

I hope that I have answered your questions for the moment.

I await your response.

Dr Andrew Rynne.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Andrew Rynne MD (3 hours later)
1. He has had no vomiting or diarrhea. He had a normal bowel movement yesterday.
2. The pain is right around his belly button, he said it feels like he was punched there (although he's not bent over in pain, he just holds it) and sometimes there's dull pains other places.
3. It is a sharp pain if he jumps.

He has not gotten better or worse since Monday morning - can appendicitis last that long without getting worse?

Thank you, Dr. Rynne.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Andrew Rynne MD (53 minutes later)
Hi again. Your answers are most helpful.

Appendicitis is a most unpredictable and sometimes a very difficult condition to diagnose. Every doctor, including this one, has missed this diagnosis at some time during their medical career.

Your son needs a blood test called a FBC and he needs a doctor to palpate his abdomen and, if only as a precaution, he needs both of those things right now.

Hope my answer will be of some help to you. Please accept it if you have no more questions.

Wishing your son a speedy recovery.

Best regards,
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Andrew Rynne MD

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1968

Answered : 298 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Child Has Stomach Pain, Is Sleeping More Than Usual, Has Fever And Is Pale.

Hi there.

Thank you for posting your question here. I will do my best to help you.

I would need to know the following to address your concern better:

(1) Has your son had any vomiting or diarrhoea with this pain?
(2) Can he point to where he is feeling the pain? If yes, then where is that in relation to his belly button - left or right, above or below? Or is the pain just defused throughout. Is it crampy or is it constant?
(3) Ask him to get out of bed and jump up and down on his toes. Does this make the pain worse?
Do you see, this could be appendicitis and if that is the case he will need urgent medical attention. Normal body temperature does not rule this out.

I hope that I have answered your questions for the moment.

I await your response.

Dr Andrew Rynne.