Why would a 2 year old have back ache?

Question

My son has been complaining of lower back pain on and off for the past few months, we have mentioned it to two doctors but no one seems to know what's wrong. My son will be 3 in october, everyone I have spoken to about it says there is no reason for a child of this age to have recurring back ache.
Any ideas?

The doctors just told me to monitor him and take him back in 3 months if he still gets pains.

He has no problems with constipation, has a good diet, a brand new bed and doesn't sit in the same place for prolonged periods. Yes, sometimes he does say his stomach hurts as well.
It can come on at any time of the day (or night), whatever he is doing which is why it is such a mystery.

Answer 1

Could be associated with kidney problems. Insist on further investigation by your GP. We took our son to our GP who told us nothing was wrong in the end we paid for a specialist and an x-ray. He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and died one year later. He was 5 years old. As a mother you know when your child is not right, and your child knows when he is hurting.

Answer 2

Well, at 2, your child is not developmentally equipped with the ability to lie quite yet. But your doctor is developmentally equipped to brush off concerns that they don't understand and haven't bluntly been told is a real concern...

I can't think of any reason why your two year old would be having back pain - with the possible exception of projecting tummy aches (not sensing them in the right place - particularly if they have to poop). A few other things come to mind, nothing seriously alarmist, but I feel completely uncomfortable guessing without more information.

Before you go in, try to note: When did it start? What triggers it? Does anything make it better/worse? What times does the pain occur, and how long does it last? What is the quality of the pain (aching, burning, sharp, etc.) (i.e. "What does it feel like, honey?" - even two year olds can usually come up with a description of some sort). See if you can localize it - or if it is a general "all over" feeling.

Most importantly, once you get this information, write it down - I always forget everything when I go to the Dr office - a paper is a good way to remember the details.

Answer 3

My daughter went through this at around 5. Has he taken a growth spurt lately? my kids have always grown fast or thrived as the doctors say. They seem to do all their growing at once. Anyway they sent us to physical therapy and it was growing pains, they don't really call it that now days but her bones had grown so fast that her muscles and ligaments etc did not have time to catch up so it makes them tight and hurt. They showed us some stretching exercises and it really helped. We only went once because they are really expensive, you may try to do some stretching or yoga type moves with him and see if it helps.
My daughters was also her back, she would even stop playing and lay down. The ones where you set and spread your legs and try to touch your toes, then try the opposite foot seemed to help the most. She still gets them off an on when she is growing and she is now 8.5.

Answer 4

Take him to a chiropractor. They can tell you if it's a problem with this spine causing problems. If they look and don't find anything I would say just keep harrassing the doctor until they do as many tests as it takes to find out what's wrong. A 3 year old has no real reason for a back ache unless something is wrong (they shouldn't be doing enough manual labor as to cause a back ache like someone doing construction work for example).

Answer 5

My thought would be kidney infection. Make sure he drinks lots of water. Also diet could be affected. I read somewhere where a child would only eat certain foods and he had a severe case of something like rickets or scurvey and had highly depleted much needed vitamins and minerals. Not that you are a bad mom, but keep track of also what he eats. Has he had any previous injury? Keep track of when it starts, what he eats, etc. Don't hesitate to be persistant in takeing him to different drs. or get a referal to a specialist. Do your homework with searching on the internet with toddler's and back pain. you never know what you might find. Sometimes you have to do more than what the dr. does in digging up answers. Here's some places to read about. Hope the little tyke gets better!
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/back_ache/book-causes-3a.htm
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/symptoms/backpain.html
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&ref=244
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_urinary_tract_infections_000036_3.htm

Answer 6

Are you sure that it is really hurting?? I have heard of kids saying that they have some kind of ache or pain that comes on randomly just because they want extra attention.. does he have siblings?? if he does than does it happen when you are doing something with them.. and the things at night be when he just has some kind of bad dream or wakes up and decides that he wants you.. i dont know the whole situation.. this might be completely off of what your situation is.. if it is htan i am sorry that i ahve wasted your time.. hope you figure it out!

Answer 7

It could indicate kidney/renal problems. My 5 year old son had back pains that I shrugged off as 'growing' pains. Days later he was urinating blood. Doctors ordered a "complete renal ultrasound", which showed 'mild trauma due to a direct blow (probably from his brother's FOOT) to the kidney area. My son's diagnosis was a GOOD one. Don't take any chances. As a parent, you have the right, and authority, to request/demand for tests . . . starting with a complete, FULL PANEL blood test, which, with some insurances, is common practice for a physical. BUT . . . PLEASE don't wait 3 months. That's insane!! Get a second opinion - FAST!

Answer 8

I would talk to your sons primary doctor and have them look into it. Sometimes I find that doctors will rule out some of mothers questions as them just being a over protective mother but pursue it. If after that they can't find a reason I would try to find a chiropractor. They work wonders and I once asked my old chiropractor if small children could have problems. She said yes and that she had some younger patients.

Answer 9

Doctors should be taking this VERY seriously. Don't wait for them to take action... call or go in EVERY day until they do something.

persistent back pain in toddlers can be caused by a tumor, growth or infection of the spine.

These can all be extremely SERIOUS.

Also, any pain in his kidney would be described as pain in his lower back, and he could have some kidney infection or something.

Be more aggressive in making your pediatrician figure out what it going on.

My brother spent weeks in the hospital with meningitis... it started with back pain.

I don't want to frighten you, but I want to make sure you realize this COULD be very serious.

Answer 10

Kidney Infection maybe. Does he drink lots of fluids? Maybe try cranberry juice. But, No it isn't something I would wait for 3 months to get back with the doctor. If it isn't normal then something should be done about it. Good Luck.