A Study of Abdomenal Pain in Children

Abstract

Pain abdomen is a common pediatric complaint that brings patient to the hospital in Nepal.
Knowledge about its etiology and frequency helps in its evaluation and management. The present
study was undertaken to find out the causes and their frequency of pain abdomen in Nepali
children. Children with pain abdomen presenting at the emergency room and pediatric outpatient
department of Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu from January, 2006 to December 2007 were
clinically evaluated and investigated to find out the causes and frequency of their pain abdomen. The
outcomes were tabulated and analyzed for interpretation. Of 444 patients attended, 356 completed
investigations and came for follow up. Cause of pain abdomen was apparent in 117 (32.9%) only.
91.5% were medical causes, comprising predominantly of diarrheal diseases (28.3%), infantile colic
(9.4%), urinary tract infection (7.7%) and acid peptic disease (6.8%). 8.5% causes were related to
surgical conditions, which needed operative management. Secondary or extra-abdominal causes
were found in 20 cases (17.1%). Pneumonia (2), functional (5), vulvovaginitis (2) and infantile colic
(11) were predominant causes. Our study showed that the causes of pain abdomen in children were
predominantly medical. Gastroenteritis was the most frequent cause. Secondary causes, including
functional and emotional causes were infrequent. Small percentage needing surgical management
formed a diagnostic challenge.

Key words: abdomen, children, gastroenteritis, pain