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Alternative names Return to top
Children and potbelliesInformation Return to top
Question:
Is there any reason to worry about a child's potbelly?
Answer:
It is generally normal for toddlers to have potbellies. By the time a child reaches school age, the potbelly usually disappears and their bodies seem more proportionate.
The belly should feel soft and not tender. There is nothing to worry about unless a swollen belly is accompanied by other symptoms (such as abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or short stature), or if it appears suddenly swollen.
Medical conditions causing an enlarged liver or spleen can be serious and must be ruled out by your doctor.
Update Date: 5/21/2003 Updated by: Elizabeth Hait, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |