FUNCTIONAL PAIN ABDOMEN IN CHILDREN

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 at Department of Paediatric. The study was commenced after obtaining clearance from institutional ethical committee. Written consent were taken from the parents for this study and those who were not willing excluded from study. Patients of age group 5 to 15 yrs of any gender presenting to paediatrics hospital (who fulfill inclusion and exclusion criteria) with >3 episodes of abdominal pain in preceding year were enrolled for study. Results: Most common site of pain was upper abdomen present in 72% children, followed by lower abdomen in 22% children and generalized pain abdomen in 8% children. Prevalence of functional GI Disorders in children with RAP. 92% children had FGIDs while rest 8% children had organic or infectious aetiology. Conclusion: This study reports higher prevalence of FGIDs in children with RAP and also identifies the variables associated with increased risk of this disorder in children with RAP. Female gender, school going children, psychological stress, traumatic life event and lower socioeconomic status increase the prevalence. Keywords: Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), Functional abdominal pain (FAP), Chronic abdominal pain.