ABSTRACT
The term acute abdomen refers to an intra-abdominal condition, which usually requires a surgical intervention, such as appendicitis. Visceral pain originating from the foregut is typically felt in the epigastric area; pain originating from the midgut is typically felt in the peri-umbilical area; and pain originating from the hindgut is typically felt in the lower abdomen. A young child is best examined in a parent's arms or lap. Distracting the child while palpating the abdomen is very helpful. A student or postgraduate doctor in an examination who hurts the child while examining the abdomen should expect to fail. Children with Mesenteric adenitis (MA) may present with acute abdominal pain in the lower quadrant of the abdomen mimicking appendicitis, but pain is more diffuse in MA. Children typically have a longer history of pain, greater systemic effect, high fever, more generalized tenderness and absent bowel sounds.
