toddler complains of back pain

[sarah2032]

I have an almost 2 1/2 year old son who began complaining of back pain in mid-October.  We had just had another baby, so I didn't really think much of it at first.  Then in early November he wouldn't walk, after x-rays and blood work all came back normal our pediatrician diagnosed him with toxic synovitis.  He began walking and was back to normal in a couple days.  However, the occasional complaint of back paincontinued, most of the time when he was laying down.  We took him back in to the Dr. and had more x-rays done.  Then in the beginning of December he began to complain of back pain when he was in his car seat.  Again, i just took it as he wanted out, nothing too alarming.  It has gotten worse that now he will scream like he is in enormous pain whenever he's in the car seat.  I have since paid close attention to what it is that hurts.  He always grabs for the middle of his lower back with his right hand and says that's where it hurts.  We had a Britax Boulevard carseat since April and were praying that it was the carseat that we went and got a new one.  Same thing in the new one.  I then began watching him sit.  When he sits he will not sit with weight equally distributed on both hips, he'll immediately shift his weight to one side or the other, or need to sit sideways with a leg up, then he's fine.  Since a 5 point harness prevents him from doing so, he can't figure out how to fix whatever it is that hurts.  This week he also started it in the stroller.  He will not sit on my lap without shifting to one side or the other.  Even if I distract him with TV or a snack or anything he's all over the place.  If I try to make him sit straight he will immediately begin kicking his legs and squirming his back all over the place, and then scream.  Our pediatrician ordered more x-rays but I don't know what else to do or who else to see for a consult.

[Charliegal220]

Hi, my son is having the same problem, what was the outcome with your baby?

[Charliegal220]

Hi, my son is having the same problem, what was the outcome with your baby?

[Charliegal220]

Hi, my son is having the same problem, what was the outcome with your baby?

[jamieg1234]

Posting our story...in the hopes of keeping this going so that the more people that find out answers, they will come back to post for those of us who still need help.

My daughter is 2.5 years - has complained about back pain for approx 1 year - and only in the car seat. We have tried multiple car seats, rear and forward facing (ended up switching back to rear facing because it is safer and because her feet won't dangle).  Ped checked her for kidney infection and fractured rib, both negative.

When she was 2 she stopped walking for approx 4 days - no weight on the foot which is the same side she complains of back pain  (her right side)  We had x-rays of the hip (and i think low back) done - they diagnosed transient synovitis.

We have found *some* improvement with a very reclined rear-facing car seat (we use the Diono Radian).  But she still mentions it. After the recent holiday and a long car ride, she was screaming. I DO think she has some sort of hip/spine imbalance because when I tighten the car seat straps, one seems much tighter than the other.  

Side notes: She is also a tummy sleeper and I wonder if this is hurting her back (I tummy sleep and have low back pain because of it).  We also have a long history of autoimmune diseases which is making me want to get her checked for celiac, rheumatoid arthritis, etc  

Will post back with any updates.

[tompaterson]

Sorry to hear those posted that their kids are having back pain. I do hope that something will get figured out on to help the pain for them.

[Alli35911]

my 3 year old daughter started complaining that her back hurt for the first time when she had strep throat a month ago. Since then she complains on and off and sometimes wakes up at night holding her back. I took her to ped and had urinalysis done to check for uti (came back clean). She does have a Britax car seat but doesnt usually complain while in it. I am concerned as to why it is bothering her and waking her at night. She has recently been diagnosed with GERD though she never had it as a baby. She took meds for it last night and didn't wake like usual although she did still whimper and moan in her sleep. I am going to look into some of these diagnosis from this page but do find it a little comforting that I am not alone. I am worried and do promise to update if anything is found.