Recurrent abdominal pain among a sample of Egyptian children in relation to family and school related problems.
Recurrent Abdominal pain (RAP) is a common feature of growing children especially above the age of five. It may be experienced for either organic or non-organic (psychogenic) reasons. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the possible relation between the occurrence of RAP and some family and school related problems. It is a descriptive cross sectional study designed to assess children aged 7-12 years, of both sexes, attending El-Salam health insurance clinic (Eastern Cairo) for their RAP. Seven hundred children (400 boys and 300 girls) suffering from RAP were investigated. They were subjected to routine investigations (urine and stool analysis, complete blood picture, x-ray abdomen) to exclude the possible organic cause for their RAP. A specially designed questionnaire for the purpose of the present study was applied after testing its validity (it was judged by 10 professors of Psychology, Psychiatry and community medicine before its use). It was applied individually on each child (or his/her caregiver). Data were collected from each subject as regard: His/her personal history, socio-demographic characteristics, characters of RAP (its type, severity, onset, duration, frequency, site and its relation to other symptoms), some organic and psychological symptoms and history of family troubles and school related problems. Data were collected, tabulated and analyzed using Chi- square test to compare children of organic and non-organic RAP. Results revealed that RAP was mostly non-organic in origin (65.7%). It was commonly associated with family troubles (59.7%) and school related problems (40.3%). Children with non-organic RAP expressed many psychological symptoms especially; tantrums (41.1%), phobias related to school (17.4%) as well as continuous crying (13%) and appetite loss (14%). There was significant female predominance (p = 0.0000) in expressing RAP in direct relation to family troubles and school related problems compared to boys. Non-organic RAP was described as mild (68.2%), gradual (64.3%), poorly localized (79.6%) pain, that was experienced more or less on daily basis (79%), and lasts for shorter duration (68.5%) [less than 15 minutes]. It was commonly associated with headaches (46.9%), diarrhea (36.9%), and other pains all over the body (13.4%). It was related neither to meals or to sleep (71.1%). On the other hand, RAP (both organic and non-organic) was not significantly related to child's socio-demographic background. Results were discussed and interpreted with results of other researchers. Many recommendations were introduced for proper assessment and management of such children.
Abd El-Mageid
F Y
FY
Faculty of Education, Helwan University.
Abou-El Fetouh
A M
AM
Abou-Hatab
Maha F
MF
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools