FUNCTIONAL PAIN ABDOMEN IN CHILDREN: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ETIOPATHOLOGY

Abstract

Background: Chronic abdominal pain is one of the most common problem dealt in day to day practice by paediatricians. In most of these children, no cause can be identified. Although it is common but its definition, pathophysiological mechanisms and predisposing factors are not completely understood & there is need for large well performed clinical trials for evidence based treatment.

Methods: Hospital based prospective case control study conducted on 100 children aged 5 to 15 years in routine OPD and indoor patient fulfilling the inclusion criteria.  

Conclusion: Female gender, school going children, psychological stress, traumatic life event and lower socioeconomic status increase the prevalence of pain abdomen in children.

Keywords: Functional abdominal pain (FAP), Chronic abdominal pain. Children