Children with Acute Abdominal Pain: How Many of Them will have a Diagnosis Eventually?

Abstract

Objective: There are many causes of acute abdominal pain in children. This kind of patients, therefore, become a major problem for physicians. In this study, we aimed to investigate how many children with acute abdominal pain have a diagnosis ultimately. Material and Methods: Data obtained from patient charts containing pre-diagnosis like “acute pain”or “abdominal pain, undefined” was collected retrospectively. These charts data was investigated for age, gender, referring clinic, laboratories and final diagnosis. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urine and stool analysis, urine culture, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, plain abdominal X-ray, ultrasonography results were documented. Laboratory examinations were classified as normal and abnormal findings. Absence of laboratory studies was also noted to show the physicians’ preference. results: Records of 436 patients with a compianit of abdominal pain were investigated. Of these patients, 354 patients were eligible for our selection criteria and suited for International Coding for Diseases. Gender distribution (189 male, 165 female) and median ages within both genders (males 9 and females 10 years) were similar. Most of the patients did not have a final diagnosis after laboratory investigations. There was no difference between the groups in terms of using laboratory tests except urine culture. Plain abdominal X-ray or ultrasonography was used infrequently. In the end, 83% of the patients did not have an eventual diagnosis. Both complete blood count and ultrasonography results were found more meaningful in the diagnosed group. conclusion: Undiagnosed patients composed the biggest group in our study. Most of the patients with undiagnosed abdominal pain primarily have admitted to our paediatric surgery department. Both the laboratory and radiological tests have been used infrequently among the children having acute abdominal pain in our hospital.