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Kids Health Info

Mesenteric adenitis

  • Key points

    • Mesenteric adenitis is a condition where the lymph nodes in the abdomen swell up.
    • It is a common cause of abdominal (tummy) pain in children.
    • Pain comes in waves and often gets worse after eating.
    • Regular pain-relief medicine should help to ease your child’s symptoms.
    • Mesenteric adenitis usually improves without treatment, but it may take days or weeks for the symptoms to resolve.

    What is mesenteric adenitis?

    Mesenteric adenitis is when lymph nodes in the abdomen swell up, usually due to a viral infection. It is a common cause of tummy pain in children of all ages.

    In most cases, mesenteric adenitis will improve over time without treatment. However, the symptoms may take days or weeks to go away completely, even after the viral infection has cleared up.

    What causes mesenteric adenitis?

    Mesenteric adenitis is caused by swollen lymph nodes in a part of the abdomen called the ‘mesentery.’ Lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system; they are glands that filter harmful materials from fluids in the body.

    Most of the time, lymph nodes are about the size of a pea. They tend to swell and get inflamed when the body is fighting an infection. That is why you may be able to see or feel the lymph nodes in your child’s neck when they have a cold. Lymph nodes in the abdomen are too deep to see or feel. They cause pain when they are inflamed.

    Signs and symptoms of mesenteric adenitis

    Some common signs and symptoms of mesenteric adenitis include:

    • Abdominal (tummy) pain, which often moves around and comes in waves
      • This pain tends to worsen after eating, and usually lasts up to one hour
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Fever (temperature of 38°C or more)
    • Change in poo consistency
      • For example, sudden runny poos (loose stools)
    • Loss of appetite
    • Feeling more tired than usual.

    The pain from mesenteric adenitis can sometimes get worse after children have recovered from a viral illness, once their eating habits have returned to normal. This is because the process of digesting food can irritate the lymph nodes. The pain is often felt near the middle of the tummy.

    How to care for mesenteric adenitis

    Mesenteric adenitis usually improves without treatment. However, the symptoms may take days or even weeks to resolve completely.

    • Make your child as comfortable as possible while they are recovering.
    • Try different distraction techniques to take your child’s attention off their pain.
      • Simple activities like reading books, playing games, and watching videos are good ways to distract them.
      • Breathing exercises may help them manage waves of pain.
    • If your child is vomiting, make sure they have lots of fluids so they do not get dehydrated.
      • Give them small and regular sips of fluid such as water, apple juice mixed with water, or oral rehydration solution. You can also buy oral rehydration icy poles.

    If your child’s pain does not seem to get any better after three days, it is best to see a doctor or health professional. They will examine your child to rule out a more serious cause of abdominal pain, such as appendicitis.

    When to get help

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child cannot walk or jump due to pain, despite having pain-relief medicine.
    • your child has dark green vomit.
    • your child has blood in their poo.
    • your child will not drink any fluids, or they cannot keep any fluids down without vomiting.
    • your child shows signs of dehydration, such as dark yellow or brown urine (pee), dry lips and mouth, or feeling light-headed or dizzy.
    • your child has pain in their testicles.

    See a doctor or health professional if:
    • your child’s pain has not improved after three days of symptoms.
    • your child’s pain is constant, and does not go away.
    • your child’s pain is getting worse.
    • your child has trouble moving around due to pain.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • they are drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.
    • they are active and alert between waves of pain.
    • their pain starts getting better within a few days.
    • their pain improves with pain-relief medicine.

    Common questions about mesenteric adenitis

    What is the difference between mesenteric adenitis and gastro?

    Mesenteric adenitis has some similar symptoms to gastro, but it is a separate condition. Gastro is an infection of the bowel lining that causes diarrhoea, vomiting and cramping pain. In contrast, mesenteric adenitis is caused by swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen; it mainly causes pain and does not usually cause diarrhoea or vomiting. Sometimes children will have both gastroenteritis and mesenteric adenitis.

    Is mesenteric adenitis contagious?

    Mesenteric adenitis is not contagious and cannot spread to others.

    Does my child need tests for mesenteric adenitis?

    Health professionals do not usually need to run tests to diagnose mesenteric adenitis. In most cases, they will examine your child thoroughly and discuss their symptoms. An ultrasound, blood test, or urine test can help to rule out other diagnoses, but these are often unnecessary.

    Do I need to change my child’s diet while they are recovering from mesenteric adenitis?

    Your child may find it easier to eat bland food while they are recovering from mesenteric adenitis. Foods such as rice and porridge can be easier for the body to digest.

    Should my child stay home from childcare or school if they have mesenteric adenitis?

    It is best for your child to stay home from childcare or school until their pain is manageable and they are drinking enough fluids.

    For more information


    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed April 2026

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Updated July 2025

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