title: Recurrent abdominal pain during childhood.
abstract: Recurrent abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint among children. A thorough history and physical examination and limited laboratory investigation should enable a physician to make a positive diagnosis of "functional" recurrent abdominal pain in 90% to 95% of cases; an organic cause is identified in only 5% to 10%. The care and thoroughness of the history and physical examination establish the physician's credibility; explaining the clinical basis for the diagnosis and educating the child and parents on what is known about the condition reassures the parents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Alberta Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors