[Recurrent abdominal pain at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic]

C A Lunardi1, L A Azevedo, L C Azevedo

  • 1Serviço de Pediatria Clínica, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual Francisco Morato de Oliveira, IAMSPE, SP.

Insights

Recurrent abdominal pain in children often has an organic cause, with chronic constipation being the most frequent diagnosis. Pediatricians should consider multifactorial origins for these symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Medicine

Context:

  • Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common pediatric complaint.
  • Identifying the underlying cause of RAP is crucial for effective management.

Purpose:

  • To analyze features of pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain.
  • To identify common etiologic diagnoses and their clinical/laboratorial differences.

Summary:

  • A study of 167 children with RAP found chronic intestinal constipation (58.6%), intestinal parasitosis (22.8%), and peptic disease (20.4%) as primary diagnoses.
  • Significant differences in age, consultations, pain characteristics, and stool features were observed among diagnostic groups.
  • Organic diseases were found to be more common than anticipated in pediatric RAP.

Impact:

  • Highlights the importance of thorough investigation for organic causes in pediatric RAP.
  • Suggests considering multifactorial origins for persistent abdominal pain in children.
Abstract

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