title: Active observation in management of acute abdominal pain in childhood.
abstract: Out of 363 children admitted to a surgical unit with acute abdominal pain only 126 (35%) had an operation. Of these, 20 first underwent a period of "active observation." This procedure, used to help reach a diagnosis or decision in doubtful cases, is safe and useful and may be applied at home or in hospital.
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications