Clinico-Etiological Profile of Children Suffering with Recurrent Abdominal Pain in a Tertiary Care Centre of Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Introduction: Abdominal pain is one of the most encountered problems in paediatrics, which baffles the experienced paediatrician, disturbs the parents, and adversely affects the quality of life of a child. This study was planned to find the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and etiological profile of recurrent abdominal pain in western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted from 0ctober 2019 to October 2020 at a tertiary care hospital. All children attending the Paediatric OPD between the age group of four to 16 years, suffering from recurrent abdominal pain were included in the study. Detailed history and examination of each patient were recorded on predesigned pretested performa.

Results: The prevalence of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) was found 0.34%, and approximately 2/3rd of RAP cases were from the adolescent age group (11 - 16 years). A strong association between a non-vegetarian diet and junk food was found with RAP (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between school absenteeism and RAP (P = 0.0027). It was observed that approximately 61% of the cases experienced pain for an average of one to two episodes per week and one to three hours per episode. We observed that localization of pain in the majority of cases was diffuse 30 / 75 (40%), and 67% of the children were found to have an organic cause of RAP (P = 0.0041). IBS and functional dyspepsia were contributing major causes of non-organic RAP.

Conclusions: RAP has significant prevalence among children. Junk food and non-vegetarian diet was significantly associated with RAP. Major causes of non-organic RAP were IBS and functional dyspepsia. Dietary modification and personal hygiene may play a significant role as a preventive measure for RAP.