What is the most common cause of recurrent abdominal pain?
- Although numerous organic causes are possible, up to 30% of patients will have functional pain with diagnoses such as irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal migraines.
- In the functional abdominal pain syndrome, the pain is generally episodic, is periumbilical, rarely occurs during sleep, and rarely is associated with eating or activities.
- There are no signs of systemic illness, such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, or joint pain. The child’s growth and development are normal. The physical examination is usually unremarkable, with the exception of mild midabdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs.