Frequent stomachaches in children: a reason for concern?

Most children will complain of a stomachache once in a while, because it is one of the most common childhood pain experiences. Complaints can range from a vague queasy feeling in the stomach to doubling over in pain accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Fortunately, in a majority of cases, the reasons for a stomachache are minor and relatively benign. Most often, the complaint settles without a specific diagnosis, even when a doctor is consulted.