“What can I give my 6 year old for tummy ache?”

As with most pain, it's important to know the cause before just treating the symptoms. Especially in children, doing so could mask a serious condition and delay definitive treatment. Stomachaches in children are common, and can be have a multitude of causes. Important details are how often and for how long does the pain last, is this an acute finding or is it chronic. Are there other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss. How are the child's bowel movements? Children of this age often manifest nerves, stress, worry, school avoidance, etc., as abdominal pain. It's important to note that, although psychogenic in origin, the PAIN is REAL and should not be dismissed or ignored. Adult medications such as pepto bismol, alka selzer, etc., should NOT be given to children. As always, speak to your pediatrician about identifying the cause of the pain first, before selecting a treatment.

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP