Abdominal pain, gastroenteritis and dehydration

Abdominal pain is a very common presenting complaint in the Paediatric age group. It is important to remember that like any other problem in paediatrics, different age groups have differing common presentations and causes. A systematic approach to the problem with good history taking and clinical examination goes a long way in management.

One convenient method of classification is acute, chronic and acute-on-chronic abdominal pain.

This article gives you a practical approach to abdominal pain in children and also gives you the most common causes in each group.

The other important clinical scenario is gastroenteritis and management of dehydration. I have tried to keep the management as practical as possible, but it is always important to remember to ask for appropriate advice from seniors when in doubt. Also, remember to refer to the local guidelines on the unit.