Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Recurrent abdominal pain is a frequent presenting complaint in general practice, general paediatric clinics and paediatric gastroenterology clinics. The present study was conducted to assess aetiological factors for recurrent abdominal pain in children. Materials & Methods: 104 children with recurrent abdominal pain of both genders were enrolled. Weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and previous medical history within 1 year was recorded. Aetiological factors were recorded. Results: Out of 104 patients, boys were 54 and girls were 50. Aetiological factors were functional dyspepsia in 62, irritable bowel syndrome in 28 and functional constipation in 14 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Duration of pain was <1 hour in 32, 1-2 hours in 46 and 2-3 hours in 34. Site of pain was upper abdomen in 54, lower abdomen in 41, periumbilical in 7 and other in 2. Severity was mild in 34, moderate in 28 and severe in 42 cases. Duration of disease was 2 months in 50, 4 months in 41 and 6 months in 23 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children is quite common.Most common aetiology found to be functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation.