Abdominal pain is a common complain in children. The pain can be described as sharp, dull, or as a cramp, depending on its cause. According to Medline Plus, cramp-like pain is usually not serious and is related to bloating or gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach cramps after eating can be caused by infections, or by conditions like lactose intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or celiac disease.
Infections
The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is a common cause of abdominal pain and cramps in children. The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include copious watery diarrhea and vomiting. These viruses can also cause abdominal cramps and bloating, fever, and headache. The CDC reports that viral gastroenteritis usually starts about one to two days after exposure to the virus, and the symptoms, including abdominal cramps, can last up to a week.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body lacks lactase, the hormone necessary to process milk and dairy products in the small intestine. Children with lactose intolerance cannot break down lactose into simple sugars that are easily absorbed by the intestine into the bloodstream. Lactose then stays in the intestine, where bacteria use it for food. As a result, these bacteria produce gas, which causes abdominal cramps and bloating, diarrhea and nausea. Dietary changes can prevent the cramps of lactose intolerance, but children need alternative sources of calcium and vitamin D in their diets.
GERD
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, results from weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter, the tight band of muscle that surrounds the part of the esophagus that connects to the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter usually closes when food passes into the stomach, and failure to do so results in the backflow of acidic stomach contents. The symptoms of GERD occur after eating, and include abdominal pain and cramping, heartburn, cough, sore throat and vomiting. Treatment of GERD includes avoiding spicy foods, products containing caffeine and over the counter reflux medicines.
Celiac disease
Children with celiac disease cannot eat gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley. According to the National Digestive Disease information Clearinghouse, when a child with celiac disease consumes gluten-containing products, it triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the intestines, preventing the absorption of nutrients. The symptoms of celiac disease include abdominal bloating and cramps when eating gluten-containing foods, weight loss and diarrhea.
