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Abdominal epilepsy misdiagnosed as psychogenic pain
1Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Abdominal epilepsy, a rare condition, can mimic psychogenic pain in children. Early recognition of specific symptoms and diagnostic tests like electroencephalograms are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Recurrent abdominal pain is a common pediatric complaint.
- Misdiagnosis as psychogenic pain can delay appropriate treatment.
Observation:
- A child presented with several months of abdominal pain.
- Key symptoms included pallor and cold sweating during episodes, followed by lethargy and prolonged sleep.
Findings:
- An abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) supported the diagnosis.
- The patient showed a significant positive response to anticonvulsant medication.
Implications:
- Abdominal epilepsy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained recurrent abdominal pain in children.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment with anticonvulsants can improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The authors present the case report of a child with abdominal epilepsy who had suffered from abdominal pain for several months under the label of psychogenic pain. The important historical clues were pallor and cold sweating during the paroxysm, followed by lethargy and prolonged sleep. An abnormal electroencephalogram and a remarkable response to anticovulsants confirmed the diagnosis. This condition must be considered in a child with undiagnosed recurrent abdominal pain.