What does abdominal distention typically indicate in children?

Abdominal distention in children is a common clinical finding that often indicates gastrointestinal issues. When considering the options provided, the selection of constipation, flatus, or lactose intolerance as the cause is appropriate because these conditions frequently result in the accumulation of gas or stool in the intestines.

Constipation can lead to a buildup of hard stool in the intestines, causing the abdomen to swell. Flatus, or the presence of gas, can similarly contribute to feelings of fullness and visible distention. Lactose intolerance, which is the inability to properly digest lactose found in dairy products, can cause significant gas production and abdominal bloating after the ingestion of dairy, resulting in distention.

While abdominal distention could also be associated with other serious conditions such as infection, inflammatory diseases, or intestinal obstruction, these scenarios often present with additional symptoms such as severe pain, vomiting, fever, or lack of bowel movement. The presence of milder symptoms along with abdominal distention aligns more closely with functional gastrointestinal issues like constipation and gas accumulation rather than these more severe concerns.

Understanding the context of abdominal distention in children involves recognizing the more common and less urgent causes, making the choice of constipation, flatus, or lactose intolerance relevant and fitting.