Back pain in children is not like back pain in adults. Compared to an adult, a child with a backache is more likely to have a serious underlying disorder. This is especially true if the child is 4 years old or younger, or if a child of any age has back pain accompanied by:
- Fever or weight loss
- Weakness or numbness
- Trouble walking
- Pain that radiates down one or both legs
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Pain that keeps the child from sleeping
More serious causes of back pain need early identification and treatment or they may become worse. Always see a doctor if your young child's back pain lasts for more than several days or progressively worsens.
