Causes & Treatments For Back Pain in Toddlers

Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

Toddler Back Pain

Back pain is often viewed as a condition that affects the older generation, and that makes sense because many spinal conditions are brought upon by aging and natural degeneration. That being said, back pain doesn’t only affect seniors, and it can strike at any age. Today, we take a closer look at why back pain may develop in toddlers, and how to best treat it.

Causes of Back Pain in Toddlers

There are a lot of different potential causes for your child’s back pain. Some of these causes are easily identifiable and may not even require treatment, like if they stayed in the car seat too long, or if they slept in an odd position. However, more serious cases require a doctor’s attention. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why your toddler may be complaining of back pain.

  • Acute Trauma – Toddlers and young kids can be clumsy, so there’s a chance they injured their back when they tripped down the stairs or fell off their bicycle. Sometimes parents witness these accidents and it’s easy to pinpoint the cause of pain, while other times it happens at daycare of while you’re not watching. Toddlers may not be the most verbal at this age, so look for clues that they might have suffered an acute injury to their spine. Physical clues include discomfort, crying, irritability and difficulty sleeping.
  • Infections – Certain bodily infections can also lead to back pain symptoms. If your kid is showing signs of an infection, have them examined by a specialist. Conditions like kidney infections and bacterial or viral meningitis can develop in young kids, and they often present with back pain. Keep an eye out for symptoms like fever, nausea, bathroom issues and vomiting.
  • Arthritis – Arthritis is typically viewed as an old person’s condition, but there is such a thing as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Although rare, JRA can affect structures in the spine and lead to acute pain and spine discomfort. If you have a family history of the condition, let your doctor know.
  • Tumors – Finally, there’s the possibility that your toddler is dealing with a spinal tumor. These can develop in different locations throughout the spine and cause a variety of symptoms. However, if you notice that your child has developed gait issues or is dealing with chronic back pain, it’s worth taking them in for an imaging test. The sooner the tumor is identified, the sooner treatment can begin. Treating tumors in an early stage is important for the success of treatment.

So if your toddler is complaining of chronic back pain, and pain seems to come and go without a direct cause, set up an appointment with Dr. Sinicropi and his team of spine specialists.

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