Recurrent abdominal pain among a sample of Egyptian children in relation to family and school related problems
Author: Abd El Mageid FY, Abou El Fetouh AM, Abou Hatab MF.
Source:
The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 77(1-2), 201-223.
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.