Excessive Gas in Children: Causes, Symptoms & Relief

Abdominal gas is normal in adults and children. According to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan, excessive abdominal gas occurs when a child passes at least 2 quarts of gas per day.

Effects

• Children with excessive abdominal gas experience pain, bloating, flatulence and burping.

Causes

• Certain foods that contain complex carbohydrates cause excessive gas, as does diarrhea and constipation.

Identification

• To identify whether a child is experiencing an excessive amount of abdominal gas, a doctor performs a complete medical history and physical exam.

Treatment

• Dietary changes and medications are recommended to treat excessive abdominal gas in children.

Prevention/Solution

• Reducing consumption of complex carbohydrates and having regular bowel movements helps prevent excessive abdominal gas.