ABSTRACT

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a disorder hard to diagnose and treat in children, that is distressing to both child and family, impairs quality of life and is frequently accompanied by psychiatric disorders, and that involves high financial costs. Despite being a widespread medical problem, very little is known about the etiology. Determining which agent initiates or worsens symptoms is important to the therapeutic approach. Organic causes that may lead to abdominal pain must first be excluded in these patients, after which symptoms should be assessed in the light of psychological and social conditions. An accompanying picture of psychiatric impairment has been reported in approximately 30% of patients. Studies have reported that psychosocial interventions are of considerable benefit in treating RAP. Accompanying psychiatric disorders should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of children with RAP, and psychiatric therapeutic approaches should be tried, especially in resistant cases.