What causes abdominal pain around the navel in children?

Pain around the navel in children may be caused by indigestion, acute gastroenteritis, intestinal spasms, or other factors. In some patients, indigestion leads to reduced digestive and absorptive capacity, causing food to remain incompletely digested and absorbed. This can exert pressure on the abdominal cavity, potentially resulting in pain around the child's navel. In cases of acute gastroenteritis, invasion by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens may trigger reactive changes in the intestines, leading to periumbilical pain in children. If the intestine suddenly goes into spasm, it may cause a pulling-type abdominal pain. If significant pain symptoms occur, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are recommended.