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Recurrent abdominal pain in children.
Donna K Zeiter1, Jeffrey S Hyams
1Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, USA.
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|February 6, 2002
Summary
Functional abdominal pain in children requires a biopsychosocial approach, recognizing the gut-brain interaction. This perspective helps manage pain effectively across multiple levels for the child, family, and physician.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neurogastroenterology
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Functional abdominal pain is a common issue in children, presenting either as a distinct condition like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or within broader clinical syndromes.
- Traditional approaches often focus on excluding organic disease, which may not fully address the complexity of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a biopsychosocial model in understanding and managing functional abdominal pain in pediatric patients.
- To highlight the significance of the gut-brain axis in the manifestation and treatment of these disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and clinical consensus on functional abdominal pain disorders in children.
- Application of the biopsychosocial framework to pediatric functional abdominal pain.
Main Results:
- The biopsychosocial approach offers a comprehensive understanding of functional abdominal pain by integrating biological, psychological, and social factors.
- Recognizing the gut-brain interaction is crucial for developing effective, multi-level treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- A shift from solely disease exclusion to a biopsychosocial perspective is recommended for managing pediatric functional abdominal pain.
- Future research into the biochemical processes of the enteric and central nervous systems holds promise for advancing therapeutic options.