The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-04-08
Your Health
Abdominal Pain
in Children Due
to Varied Causes


to Varied Causes
By HERMAN BuNDEsEN. NJ. d
CAUSES Of abdominal pain in
children are many and varied.
At one time, such pain may be
due 10 nothing more serious than
q little digestive upset. Again, Il
may signal the onset Of appended
tbs. Another common cause, ae-
cording to Doctor Ian Arid Of
Edinburgh, Scotland, is an infiam-
nation Of certain lymph glands
within the abdomen, known as the
mesenteric lymph glands.
To an unframed observer, one
Of these troubles night appear
outwardly very much like another.
To treat one for another, however,
would be disastrous. Therefore,
parents are warned that in cases
Of abdominal pain in children,
physician should be called.
In mesenteric lymphadenitis,
the lymph glands become infamed
at first; then white and soft and,
finally, hard ant red. There is
also some congestion Of blood in
the small intestine and occasion
ally in the appendix. The entire
bowel wall may become swollen or
edematous. A sore throat or SINH
lar infection may precede the at
tack Of mesenteric lymphadenitis.
The most important symptom
Of mesenteric lymphadenitis, is
severe colicky pain. The pain
comes In spasms, and between
spasms the child is comfortable
but, even during a violent attack,
may move about freely. The pain
is most severe in the lower right
part Of the abdomen. Sickness to
the stomach and vomiting fire.
quently occur.
The temperature rises 10 about
l0l degrees aid there is also an
increase in the number of white
cells in the blood. There is often
some rigidity or stiffness Of the
muscles. but this is not as notice
able as in appendicitis. The char
acter of the pain also seems to
differ from that produced by APP
pendicitis, so that the two dis
orders can usually be told apart.
A tuberculous infection Of the
lvnph glands in the abdomen may
also occur. However, in tubercu-
losis, there is usually no increase
in the number Of white cells in the
blood. The abdominal muscles are
relaxed and pain and discomfort
persist between attacks.
Children with mesenteric
lymphadenitis, as a rule, are ap-
parently healthy and completely
comfortable between attacks.
DR.. Arid believes that mesen-
teFie lymphadehitis may be due
to a virus, that is, an organism so
small that it can pass through the
openings in a porcelain filter. The
virus is brought to the glands by
passing through the walls Of the
intestine into the lymph channels.
The fact that a respiratory in
lection, such as q cold or sore
throat, often precedes the attack,
favors the theory that the condi-
ton is produced by virus, since
these infections are also thought
to be caused by viruses.
No treatment has been found
which will keep the attacks from
recurring. However, operation
and removal Of the gland should
not be done, according to DR.. Arid,
since, as time passes, the condition
tends to clear up completely and
no further attacks occur.
The important thing about
mesenteric lymphadenitis is that
its symptoms are like those of
appendicitis and care must be
taken not to mistake one for the
other. The parents must remem-
Der two important things: Have
q physician examine your child,
and give no laxative or cathartics.