Abdominal Distension Is Common in Newborns, Here’s How to Deal With It!

Abdominal distension is another name for an abnormally bloated stomach. This condition often occurs in newborns. Most babies’ stomachs usually protrude, especially after a large feeding. However, between feedings, the baby’s stomach should feel soft. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) , if your baby’s belly feels swollen and hard, and he or she hasn’t had a bowel movement in more than a day or two or is vomiting, call your pediatrician right away. The problem is most likely due to gas or constipation , but it could also signal a more serious bowel problem.

So, what exactly is abdominal distension? What are the symptoms and factors that cause babies to experience this condition? Check out the following information!

Abdominal Distension Is Abnormal Swelling of the Abdomen

This condition can be related to digestion, such as malabsorption or lactose intolerance , or to a functional bowel disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or constipation. Bloating is another term sometimes used to refer to a swollen abdomen.

A pot belly appears swollen beyond its normal size. It is often accompanied by a feeling of bloating with trapped gas or digestive contents. However, bloating does not always come from the digestive process. Health care providers diagnose a pot belly in terms of the “five f’s”: flatus (gas), fetus (pregnancy), feces (trapped stool), fluid (from several causes), and fat .

However, there is a difference between bloating and abdominal distension . When babies feel bloated, they experience a sense of increased pressure in the abdomen, but without any measurable changes. While babies who experience distension, there is actually an increase in the size and circumference of the abdomen. Many people, including doctors, will often use the two terms interchangeably.

Although the causes of bloating and distension have not been well identified, there is some research indication that different (but related) mechanisms may underlie each of the two problems.

Symptoms of Abdominal Distension

This condition of a baby’s bloated stomach can be associated with other symptoms, including:

burp nauseous Vomit diarrhea fever stomach ache Causes of Abdominal Distension

Abdominal distension is a condition that needs to be watched out for. This is because there are many possible causes, and some of them can have serious consequences. Among them are:

Organic Causes

A distended abdomen is either an organic or functional problem. An organic problem can be explained by physical evidence, such as disease. Organic causes of abdominal distension may include:

Recent significant weight gain, which tends to be stored as intra-abdominal fat and can restrict digestion. Obstruction of the small or large intestine, causing a buildup of gas and waste. Partial paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis) causes accumulation of digestive contents. Certain gastrointestinal diseases cause gas and bloating, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), celiac disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis). Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen caused by liver disease (ascites). Organ enlargement due to inflammation or growth. Internal bleeding (intra-abdominal bleeding). Functional Causes

While functional problems may be observed but not explained, functional reasons for a pot belly tend to involve digestive problems that cause gas and/or digestive contents to build up. Causes may include:

Gas from functional digestive disorders, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Constipation causes a buildup of feces and back up of digestive contents. Urinary retention causes urine to build up. Disorder of muscle contractions involved in digestion (intestinal pseudo-obstruction), causing digestive contents to back up. Weakness of the abdominal muscles, which causes the contents of the stomach to sag outward and downward (enteroptosis). Congenital Malformation

According to a study published in the Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics , congenital malformations can be the main cause of abdominal distension in early newborns. Sepsis and congenital megacolon are the single diseases most often associated with abdominal distension in premature and full-term newborns. 

Vomiting is the main accompanying symptom in early newborns with abdominal distension. X-ray manifestations appear to be more severe in premature newborns than in term newborns. Satisfactory results can be achieved after treatment in both premature and term newborns with this disorder. 

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body is unable to digest lactose, causing bloating and gas.

How to Treat Abdominal Distension

There are many different things that can cause abdominal distension. Therefore, there is no identified treatment that specifically targets the symptom of distension. Instead, treatment focuses on  managing the overall symptoms of digestive distress.

Once the cause is found and treated, the distension should subside. For example, if the distension is due to constipation, treating the constipation will help the abdomen return to its normal size. This may look like taking a stool softener, laxative, or an enema.

Tiffani Payne, MD, a pediatrician at Norton Children’s Medical Group in Okolona, ​​says that a hard, distended belly in babies is usually a sign of gas.

There are several things that can be doneParentsdo at home to overcome abdominal distension in babies, namely:

1. Tummy Time

Tummy time has many benefits, including putting pressure on the abdomen which can help relieve gas.

2. Baby Paddle

Lay your baby on his back, gently move his legs in a cycling motion (pedaling) towards his stomach. Also, try holding his knees close to his stomach for about 10 seconds, straightening his legs between repetitions.

3. Massage

Gently rubbing the stomach, shoulders, back, legs and arms can help the baby relax and pass gas.

4. Burp

Place the baby’s belly on your legs or arms while gently rubbing his back. This method is expected to be done after breastfeeding so that the baby burps.

5. Medicine to Eliminate Gas in Baby’s Stomach

This over-the-counter medication uses simethicone to break up gas bubbles. Mix it with water, formula or breast milk. However, consult your pediatrician before using it.

In addition, to prevent abdominal distension in babies or children, parents can change their eating habits to prevent it, for example:

Identify food sensitivities and modify your diet accordingly. Eat smaller amounts more slowly. Wait longer between meals. Drink more water and eat more fiber to prevent waste accumulation. Try digestive enzymes and probiotics , such as fruit and yogurt before meals. When to Call a Doctor?

The risk of complications such as:

It keeps getting worse and doesn’t go away. Came with severe abdominal pain. It presents with symptoms of illness, such as fever, vomiting or bleeding. No bowel movements for a day or two and there is vomiting. There is a chronic problem and Parents don’t know the cause.

Although abdominal distension is nothing to worry about, as it is common in infants, if your baby or child experiences severe symptoms or complications, take them to a pediatrician immediately.

Hopefully this information is useful for parents !

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Abdominal Distension (Distended Abdomen)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21819-abdominal-distension-distended-abdomen

Distended Stomach (Abdominal Distention): Symptoms & Signs
https://www.medicinenet.com/distended_stomach_abdominal_distention/symptoms.htm

What is Abdominal Distention? – Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-abdominal-distention-definition-causes-symptoms-treatment.html

Abdominal Distension and Digestive Disorders
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-abdominal-distension-1944868

What to do about a baby’s distended abdomen
https://nortonchildrens.com/news/what-to-do-about-a-babys-distended-abdomen

Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia