All issues > Volume 50(7); 2007

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2007;50(7):655-659. Published online July 15, 2007.

Characteristics of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children with chronic abdominal pain

Ji Hyun JH Uhm¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Ji Hyun JH Uhm ,Email: eomjie@eulji.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The aim of this study was to document the causes of chronic abdominal pain in children referred to a hospital setting and evaluate the frequency and characteristics of functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) classified by Rome III criteria.
Methods
: One hundred thirty two patients with chronic abdominal pain were evaluated. Examinations were performed in order to find organic causes in patients when organic disease was suspected.
Results
: Among the 132 patients, 20 patients (15.2%) had organic diseases and 112 patients (84.8%) were diagnosed as having FGIDs. Functional dyspepsia was the most common cause of FGIDs, followed by irritable bowel syndrome. Overlap of some FGIDs was observed in seven patients (5.3%).
Conclusion
: FGIDs are the main causes of chronic abdominal pain in children and functional dyspepsia was the most prevalent disorder.

Keywords :Functional gastrointestinal disorder, Abdominal pain, Children