ABSTRACT
Recurrent abdominal pain is a common paediatric problem affecting between 10 and 20% of school-children. The term is usually used to describe recurrent, moderately severe attacks of pain occurring over a period of at least 3 months. These episodes may lead to repeated absence from school. An organic cause to explain the pain is found in <10% of cases and clinical examination between episodes is usually normal. Siblings may have had similar symptoms, and there may be a family history of irritable bowel syndrome in the parents.
