Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Assessment of Perigenital Sensitivity and Prostatic Mast Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Maternal Separation
Published on: August 13, 2015
Comparison of child abuse history in patients with and without functional abdominal pain: a case-control study
Seyed Mojtaba Hashemi1, Parsa Yousefichaijan2, Bahman Salehi3
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Insights
Child abuse, including emotional abuse and neglect, is significantly more prevalent in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP). This suggests a strong link between experiencing abuse and developing FAP in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a leading cause of mental health referrals.
- Child abuse is a suspected contributor to functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children.
- Understanding the link between child abuse and FAP is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of child abuse experiences in children with and without FAP.
- To investigate the association between different types of child abuse and FAP.
- To provide evidence for the role of child abuse in the etiology of pediatric FAP.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Arak, Iran.
- 100 children with FAP and 100 controls without FAP were assessed.
- The Child Abuse Questionnaire assessed emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.
Main Results:
- Children with FAP showed significantly higher rates of emotional abuse (96% vs. 81%) and neglect (28% vs. 8%).
- Overall child abuse scores were substantially higher in the FAP group (98% vs. 84%).
- No significant difference in the prevalence of physical abuse was found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Child abuse, particularly emotional abuse and neglect, is strongly associated with FAP in children.
- Findings suggest child abuse may be a significant factor in the development of FAP.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended, with caution regarding generalizability to the broader Iranian population.
Background:
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are ranked first amongst medical diseases as a trigger of requests for mental health counselling. Child abuse has been regarded as one of the main causes of the development of functional abdominal pain (FAP) in children. This study aimed, therefore, to compare the prevalence of child abuse experience among two groups of patients with and without FAP.
Methods:
A case-control study of children in Arak, Iran, in which experience of child abuse was compared in children with (n = 100) and without functional abdominal pain (n = 100). Three categories of child abuse - emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect - were assessed using the Child Abuse Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Stata software.
Results:
After adjusting for potential confounders, there were group differences in emotional abuse (96% vs. 81%, aOR = 5.13, 95% CI: 1.3-20.3, p = 0.017), neglect (28% vs. 8%, aOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.8-11.8, p = 0.001) and total child abuse score (98% vs. 84%, aOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 1.5-43.8, p = 0.014) but not in physical abuse (57% vs. 46%, aOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.81-2.60, p = 0.728).
Conclusions:
As the prevalence of child abuse is higher in patients with FAP, child abuse appears to be related to the occurrence of FAP in children. However, the results of this study cannot be generalized to Iranian society generally and further longitudinal studies are recommended.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:28Peptic 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.
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....
01:17Assessment 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...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:23Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation