THE STUDY OF RECURRENT ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CENTRAL INDIAN CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is the most common painful health problems in school aged children with various organic causes. It impairs their daily activity & studies as well.

Aims & objectives: To study the causes of recurrent abdominal pain in children of Central India

Method: 1060 school going children (Ratio of male & female was 1:2) were studied as per the Apley’s criteria. All blood investigations & radiological examinations were carried out whenever necessary. In addition to Apley’s criteria, Rome-II criteria were also considered to diagnose & evaluate the cause of Recurrent abdominal pain.

Results: Clinical manifestations were seen in 318 cases, 230 cases had constipation, 254 cases had mesenteric lymphadenopathy, 180 cases had UTI, 60 cases had hepatomegaly and 18 cases had splenomegaly. Moreover their BMI & dietary habits were also considered.

Conclusion: Majority of the children with Recurrent abdominal pain had functional GIT diseases, Detail history of patients, hematological, urine, stool, radiological examinations were mandatory to rule out the exact cause. If not cured treated as psycho-somatic or emotional/ stress Recurrent abdominal pain.

Keywords: Recurrent abdominal pain, Apley’s criteria, Rome-II.