Abdominal pain in newborns

Abdominal pain in newborns: Causes of discomfort

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for crying and distress in newborns. Their digestive system is completely immature and is only learning to adapt to a new mode of feeding outside the mother's womb. In the vast majority of cases, abdominal pain is functional, meaning it is not associated with any disease and is a normal stage of development.

Functional causes of abdominal pain

These are the most common causes related to the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract:

• Gas: Newborns swallow a lot of air during crying and feeding. Air bubbles, stretching the walls of the immature intestine, cause spasms and pain.
• Colic: This is a diagnosis of exclusion, characterized by episodes of inconsolable crying in a healthy child. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be a complex condition related to the immaturity of the nervous and digestive systems.
• Reflux: The return of stomach contents into the esophagus. If the reflux is acidic, it can cause heartburn and pain.
• Constipation: Although rare for breastfed infants, difficult stool passage can cause pain.

Organic causes (rare but dangerous)

Sometimes abdominal pain can be a sign of a serious problem that requires medical intervention.

• Food allergy: Most often it is cow's milk protein allergy, which causes inflammation in the intestine.
• Intestinal infection (gastroenteritis): Usually accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.
• Intestinal obstruction: Rare but dangerous condition that requires immediate surgical intervention.

If abdominal pain is severe, persistent, accompanied by vomiting (especially green-colored) or other concerning symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical attention immediately.