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The approach to common abdominal diagnoses in infants and children. Part II

R H Pearl1, M S Irish, M G Caty

  • 1Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Illinois, USA.

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|January 16, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This article reviews the evaluation of pediatric constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal masses, and recurrent abdominal pain. It builds upon Part I, focusing on common abdominal diagnoses in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Part I of this series addressed appendicitis, vomiting-associated diagnoses, and special considerations for immunocompromised and neurologically impaired pediatric patients.
  • This article continues the discussion on common abdominal conditions encountered in pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of evaluating constipation in children.
  • To outline diagnostic approaches for pediatric gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • To discuss the identification and management of common abdominal masses and recurrent abdominal pain in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and clinical guideline synthesis.
  • Discussion of diagnostic criteria and imaging modalities.
  • Case-based examples illustrating evaluation strategies.

Main Results:

  • Constipation evaluation involves history, physical exam, and targeted investigations.
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding requires careful assessment of blood loss and source identification.
  • Abdominal masses and recurrent pain necessitate a systematic diagnostic workup.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough and systematic approach is crucial for diagnosing abdominal conditions in children.
  • Understanding these common diagnoses aids in timely and effective pediatric patient management.
  • This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians managing pediatric abdominal complaints.

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