Paediatrics » Evaluation of common symptoms

Chronic / recurrent abdominal pain in children

Chronic abdominal pain in children is defined as pain of more than two weeks' duration. The pain may be persistent or recurrent. Abdominal pain is defined recurrent when it lasts for at least 3 months and interferes with the child's normal activity. Although in the majority of cases recurrent abdominal pain in children is functional, the cause is quite often organic (e.g. gastritis, oesophagitis). At least one child in three has psychosocial problems. Recurrent abdominal pain syndrome is a prepubertal functional pain with two distinct peaks of frequency. The first peak occurs between five and seven years of age, the second peak, occurs between eight and 12 years of age and is far more prevalent in girls.

In order to proceed further, you need to have an account on IDG.
Create a new account now

Registered users, you can login below to access this page.