ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics (age, height, weight, sex, duration and localization of the abdominal pain, family properties, and accompanying symptoms) of patients admitted to pediatrics clinics with the complaint of abdominal pain. Two hundred and fifty children, whose ages varied between 2 to 5 were involved in this prospective study. Acute gastroenteritis was the most common cause (42.4%) of abdominal pain. Recurrent abdominal pain (19.6%), urinary tract infection and upper respiratory tract infection (or/and otitis media) (9.2%) were the other causes in respect order. Acute abdominal pain requiring surgery was noted in 0.04% of the cases. Most frequent symptoms accompanying abdominal pain were vomiting (34%), fever (29%), diarrhea (20%), headache (8.4%), dysuria (8.4%), cough (7.2%) and nausea (5.6%). Abdominal pain may be a complaint of a wide spectrum of diseases. Taking a detailed history and a careful physical examination is adequate to make the diagnosis and to start treatment for most of the patients who admit with the complaint of abdominal pain.

Keywords: Acute appendicitis, acute gastroenteritis, childhood, abdominal pain, recurrent abdominal pain