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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access published online on January 19, 2008
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, doi:10.1093/tropej/fmm114
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© The Author [2008]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Recurrent Abdominal Pain Syndrome in a Cohort of Sri Lankan Children and Adolescents

Niranga Manjuri Devanarayanaa, Delpechitracharige Gajabahu Harendra de Silvab and Hithanadura Janaka de Silvac

Departments of aPhysiology, bPaediatrics, and cMedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya Thalagolla road, Ragama, Sri Lanka

Correspondence: Niranga Manjuri Devanarayana, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla road, Ragama, Sri Lanka. E-mail < niranga1230{at}lycos.com>.


  Abstract

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common problem among children and adolescents. The epidemiology of RAP among Sri Lankan children is unknown. A self-administered parental questionnaire was distributed to 810 randomly selected school children, aged 5–15 years, and 734 (90.6%) were returned. RAP was diagnosed using Apley criteria. Children who fulfilled the criteria were interviewed. Seventy-seven had RAP (10.5%). Of them, 45 (58.4%) had periumbilical pain. The severity was mild to moderate in 45 (58.4%) and severe in 32 (41.6%). Common associated symptoms were headache (42.9%), anorexia (35.1%), lethargy (23.4%) and joint pain (23.4%). Health care consultation among affected children was 70.1%. RAP was significantly higher in those who were exposed to stressful life events and who had a family history of RAP (p < 0.0001). RAP was not associated with school academic performance and participation in sports (p > 0.05). According to our results, the epidemiology and clinical profile of RAP in Sri Lankan children appears to be similar to that in other parts of the world, except for health care consultation, which is higher than previously reported.

Key Words: recurrent abdominal pain • Sri Lanka • children • adolescents


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