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.

[ubaidrehman]

Take him to an expert and a full body checkup can diagnose the problem may be its not the back pain he is suffering it's may the vain conracting or other gasous problems as well - ask your child if he fall down from anywhere and got hit ? in school

[paddy148]

We have a daughter that had all the symptoms that have been mention in the posts (back pain, sleepless, car seat pain, didn't sit very long, etc).  We took her to our pediatrician who checked for Leukemia and took ex-rays of the spine.  Everything checked out good.  We then went to the pediatric orthopedic who examined her and took more ex-rays - again everything good.  Then we went to a podiatrist who gave us inserts for flat feet but said they were not such that would cause back pain.  Our next stop was a rheumatoid doctor who diagnosed her with Juvenile Arthritis.  Ultimately she had arthritis in her knees (which she never complained about), the knees and legs were growing slightly off (due to the arthritis) and causing the back pain.  We have been doing treatment for her for about 6 months which has resulted in a huge improvement.  The clinic has told me that Juvenile Arthritis (which I had never heard of before) is as common and prevalent as Juvenile Diabetes and it is common for it to be initially diagnosed in the toddler years.  I hope this helps - good luck to all.

[Angiz]

Hi My son had problems with his bowel and I kept going to the doctors but no one would believe me, I changed Doctors and my son was sent of to the hospital. That doctor just fobbed me off but I got her to book a Ultra sound for him, big turn around and he had to go to another hospital. We have now got the results in, he has Inflammatory bowel disease. This is what I knew as my Mum and I both have it!! He is now on Salofalk and he is a different child. It has taken 3 1/2 years to get this result. My son also has back problem as do I and my mum! Hope this helps!!!

[gitygirl]

Have you found anything further?  Did you go ahead with the MRI?  My daughter is going through a similar experience.  Back pain for 9 months, just been diagnosed with JIA and I just feel like the back pain has not really been diagnosed.  Do you have any other advice?

[Shinningstarsmom]

My daughter is 4 I finally got her into a Pediatric Rheumatologist, they believe she has JIA (JRA). The back pain may something more and she may need a MRI with contrast to look morre closely at her back. They will have to put her to sleep, to do the MR,I in order to keep her still. Her Rheumatoligist states children their age should not have back pain even with JRA and should be closely looked into and taken very seriously. Make your Doctor listen and get your child help. God has give you your child and the wisdom to know when somethig is wrong don't let your childs doctor just say it growing pains or noting to worry about. Insist on your child seeing a Pediatric Rheumatologist.

[madrivermama]

I have an almost 3 year old girl who has been in and out of the hospital due to GI issues; however, around the time she has had a mysterious intestinal flare up she would scream in the carseat about back pain.  She was doing much better over the last 3 months until this weekend.  She again started screaming in pain while in her carseat.  She also will not sit on the couch or dining room chair.  Her pain is real.  3 days after she started having issues this weekend, she came down with strep throat.  I think the pain has to do with her body being out of balance.  The pain is like a "cannery in the mine shaft" letting us know something is wrong.  The doctors never really found anything wrong with her gut except she has a diagnosis of Yersina and her appendix was inflamed.  We are still trying to find an answer.  Luckily, we did not need to go in the car today.