Abdominal Pain in Children Episode One: Serious Causes

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Dr Colin Gilhooley came down to the Take Aurally booth to start the trilogy of Abdominal Pain in Children.  For the first episode we discussed the serious 'never miss' causes of abdominal pain; an approach based on the age of the patient.

Neonate - 2 months: Malrotation, Incarcerated hernia and Necrotising Enterocolitis.

2 months - 2 years: Intussusception, Hirschsprung's Disease (risk of enterocolitis post procedure), Meckel's Diverticulum (rule of twos), Trauma as the patient becomes more and more ambulant, Foreign bodies (including the risks of button batteries and magnets).

Remember only 15% of patients will have the classic triad of colicky pain, abdominal mass and redcurrant jelly!

Remember only 15% of patients will have the classic triad of colicky pain, abdominal mass and redcurrant jelly!

>2 year olds: Trauma, Foreign bodies, Gynaecological causes, Testicular torsion and Appendicitis become more likely as the patient gets older.

Also think Oncological causes of abdominal pain.

The key point throughout is a low threshold of concern and early referral to a senior or the surgical team. 

Here's our Take Visually graphic for this podcast:

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