Growing pains

These common pains of the extremities may be intense enough to make a child cry. The pains occur predominantly in the lower extremities, most frequently in girls and primarily at night. They may be associated with headaches and stomach aches. When pain is localized to joints, the patient must be carefully evaluated. Poorly localized pain should be investigated if it is of extended duration or of unusual intensity. When known disorders are excluded, "growing pains" may represent syndromes that have not yet been identified.