OC-40 Chronic abdominal pain in children, what should be your approach

Abstract

Chronic abdominal pain in children is a common syndrome with functional gastro intestinal symptoms. In 95% of paediatric patients no underlying disease can be identified. The yield of laboratory work up is limited and should not be initiated routinely. Besides clear red flags in symptoms and signs, which suggest underlying disease it is on the other hand adamant to confirm stress related pain as most common cause. If stress related chronic abdominal pain cannot be confirmed, the age boundaries of the child are confirmed to be within the age limits of 3–16 years as expected in most children with the symptom complex, history taking should dig into other possibilities. Possible metabolic, renal, urinary tract abnormalities should be extensively questioned, possible symptoms reviewed, and laboratory work up initiated if relevant. When the diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain is confirmed treatment options like hypnosis should not be delayed and are also effective in related functional GI disorders like functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel disease.Chronic abdominal pain in children is a common syndrome with functional gastro intestinal symptoms. In 95% of paediatric patients no underlying disease can be identified. The yield of laboratory work up is limited and should not be initiated routinely. Besides clear red flags in symptoms and signs, which suggest underlying disease it is on the other hand adamant to confirm stress related pain as most common cause. If stress related chronic abdominal pain cannot be confirmed, the age boundaries of the child are confirmed to be within the age limits of 3–16 years as expected in most children with the symptom complex, history taking should dig into other possibilities. Possible metabolic, renal, urinary tract abnormalities should be extensively questioned, possible symptoms reviewed, and laboratory work up initiated if relevant. When the diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain is confirmed treatment options like hypnosis should not be delayed and are also effective in related functional GI disorders like functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel disease.