Recurrent abdominal pain
G. B. Stickler and D. B. Murphy
A long-term follow-up study (minimum of five years) of 161 children with
recurrent abdominal pain disclosed that three had organic disease and that
was missed--inflammatory bowel disease. Anorexia nervosa developed in one
patient. Three fourths of the patients recovered from the initial symptom;
most recovered within a few weeks; but some patients continued to have
complaints for a number of years. Approximately 20% of patients underwent
additional surgical or medical treatments of doubtful necessity. In 18% of
patients, other psychosomatic symptoms developed.
