The management of recurrent abdominal pain

Abstract 

Recurrent abdominal pain is a common problem in school-aged children, and although many patients do not have an underlying identifiable pathology, it is important that those children with such conditions are diagnosed and treated promptly. This article sets out some of the common conditions presenting as recurrent abdominal pain in modern hospital-based practise, emphasizing features in the history and examination which point towards organic disease. Functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome are described. A scheme for appropriate use of investigations is suggested.

Keywords: abdominal pain, gastrointestinal diseases, child

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• f1 Correspondence to: AW. E-mail: mike.cosgrove@swanseatr.wales.nhs.uk, A.Wardhaugh@btinternet.com