Q: What should parents do if their child frequently suffers from stomach pain?

A: It is common for children to complain of abdominal discomfort. Many parents attribute this to food stagnation or intestinal parasites. However, with improved living standards and sanitary conditions, most childhood abdominal pain is caused by chronic gastritis. Chronic gastritis refers to gastric mucosal inflammation triggered by physical, chemical or biological irritants, and it is a prevalent digestive disorder in children.

Q: How to Tell If a Child Has Chronic Gastritis?

A: Young children cannot accurately describe abdominal symptoms, leading many parents to dismiss their complaints as pretence or trivial discomfort. Careful observation reveals typical signs of chronic gastritis: recurrent upper abdominal pain, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting. Pain episodes may occur randomly or be linked to meals. The pain usually presents as diffuse burning, dull or distending discomfort in the upper abdomen, accompanied by bloating, belching and nausea. Severe cases may involve hematemesis and black tarry stools.

Q: What Causes Chronic Gastritis in Children?

There are multiple contributing factors related to children’s daily habits, physical conditions and constitution:

1. Dietary factors: irregular eating patterns, intake of overly hot, cold or spicy food, and frequent overeating.

2. Helicobacter pylori infection that damages gastric mucosa.

3. Corrosive irritants: accidental ingestion of strong acids, alkalis or other corrosive substances.

4. Bacterial infection: consumption of food contaminated with bacteria and their toxins.

5. Stress factors: severe infection, poisoning, physical trauma or prolonged mental tension.

6. Allergic triggers: allergies to milk, eggs and other foods.

7. Medication-induced injury: long-term use of gastric irritant drugs, most commonly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and indomethacin.

Q: What Examinations Are Required for a Child Suspected of Chronic Gastritis?

A: Parents must take the child to hospital promptly upon suspicion.

- For mild symptoms including only abdominal pain, bloating, belching and nausea: the ¹³C urea breath test and Helicobacter pylori antibody test are the first-line examinations to identify the root cause.

- For severe symptoms such as severe stomach pain, vomiting, hematemesis, black stool, anemia and weight loss: electronic gastroscopy is the primary diagnostic test.

Q: How to Provide Home Care for a Child with Chronic Gastritis?

A: Standardized medical treatment and regular follow-up visits are essential, alongside proper home care:

1. Ensure adequate rest.

2. Keep the bedroom well ventilated with fresh circulating air.

3. Cultivate healthy eating habits; encourage thorough chewing and slow swallowing.

4. Limit cold, spicy and other irritating foods.

5. Prevent overeating at each meal.

6. Maintain daily oral hygiene.

7. Alleviate mental stress and avoid excessive fatigue.