Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Assessment of Perigenital Sensitivity and Prostatic Mast Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Maternal Separation
Published on: August 13, 2015
Paediatric functional abdominal pain: significance of child and maternal health. A prospective study
Helene Helgeland1, Betty Van Roy, Leiv Sandvik
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Gjovik, Norway. helene.helgeland@g.mail.com
Insights
Children with functional abdominal pain report more somatic and mental health issues than peers. These symptoms, along with maternal health, predict persistent pain and disability, emphasizing a broader clinical focus.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Functional abdominal pain is common in pediatric outpatients.
- Comorbid somatic and mental health symptoms are often present but understudied.
- The impact of these comorbidities on pain persistence and disability requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare somatic and mental health symptoms in pediatric functional abdominal pain outpatients versus a general population sample.
- To examine the association of these symptoms in patients and their mothers with persistent abdominal pain and functional disability.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 94 pediatric patients with functional abdominal pain was assessed at baseline and 6-9 month follow-up.
- Patient symptoms were compared to a population-based sample of 14,000 school children.
- Prognostic factors included patient and maternal somatic and mental health symptoms.
Main Results:
- Patients reported significantly more somatic (e.g., headache) and emotional symptoms than controls.
- Older age and peer problems predicted increased abdominal pain at follow-up.
- Older age, emotional symptoms, prosocial behavior, and maternal somatic symptoms were linked to functional disability.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric functional abdominal pain is frequently associated with broader somatic and mental health challenges.
- Maternal somatic symptoms also correlate with child functional disability.
- Clinical practice and research should adopt a holistic approach beyond just abdominal pain.
Aim:
First, to what extent do general paediatric outpatients with functional abdominal pain experience other somatic and mental health symptoms compared with children in a population-based sample? Second, to what extent are such symptoms in both patients and their mothers associated with persistent child abdominal pain and functional disability?
Methods:
Ninety-four referred patients [mean age (SD) 11.1 (1.9) years, 62% girls] were assessed by questionnaires and a paediatric consultation at baseline and at follow-up after 6-9 months (94% follow-up participation). At baseline, somatic and mental health symptoms in the patients were compared with a population-based sample of 14,000 school children. Outcome at follow-up was patient self-reported abdominal pain and disability. Prognostic factors explored included patient and maternal somatic and mental health symptoms.
Results:
The patients experienced significantly more somatic [e.g. headache (OR: 9.2; 95% CI: 5.9-14.6)] and emotional symptoms than the school children. Patient's older age and peer problems at baseline were significantly associated with more abdominal pain at follow-up, whereas patient's older age, emotional symptoms, prosocial behaviour and maternal somatic symptoms were associated with disability.
Conclusion:
Our results highlight the importance of focusing wider than just the patient's symptoms of abdominal pain in clinical practice and research.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:25Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.