Dear Westwood-Mansfield Patients,

We hope your children, teens (and YOU) have nicely adjusted back to school and the chaotic schedules.  Such changes this time of year can contribute to a child becoming constipated without parental awareness. Often times children will avoid having bowel movements in school toilets, and thus hold their BM's. It is not unusual this time of year for kids to have stomaches and parents worry about appendicitis especially ages 4-12 years.  

Please read below and watch our video.

1. A significant number of children who go to the emergency room with concerns of appendicitis are in fact diagnosed with constipation. A child can be constipated despite having daily BM's.
2. Constant pain or doubling over sweating or ear piercing scream requires immediate call. Abdominal pain that wakes a child at night and persists is also concerning
3. TO GET THE WHOLE STORY PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO:

Abdominal Pain in Children 4-12 yo

We hope you have a healthy Fall and don't forget your flu shots!

Thanks,

Westwood-Mansfield Pediatric Associates