Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders pp 93–116Cite as

Recurrent Abdominal Pain

  • Chapter

  • 671 Accesses

Abstract

The term recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) has been used and defined in various ways over time. Almost every paper or presentation on RAP, however, begins with a reference to Apley’s criteria (Apley, 1975; Apley & Hale, 1973). According to Apley, RAP is characterized by three or more episodes of abdominal pain that occur over at least 3 months and are severe enough to interfere with activities, such as school attendance and performance, social activities, and participation in sports and extracurricular activities. Clinically, these episodes are characterized by vague abdominal pain that is dull or crampy, is poorly localized or periumbilical, and persists for less than 1 hour (Frazer & Rappaport, 1999). The pain frequently presents with nausea, vomiting, and other signs of autonomic arousal (Apley, 1975).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual of the Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 and 1991 Profile (CBCL). Burlington, VT: University of Vermont. University Associates of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anbar, R. D. (2001). Self-hypnosis for the treatment of functional abdominal pain in childhood. Clinical Pediatrics, 40, 447–451.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Apley, J. (1959). The child with abdominal pain. London: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apley, J. (1975). The child with abdominal pains (2nd ed.). London: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apley, J., & Hale, B. (1973). Children with recurrent abdominal pain: How do they grow up? British Medical Journal, 7, 7–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apley, J., & Naish, N. (1958). Recurrent abdominal pain: A field survey of 1,000 school children. Archives of Diseases of Childhood, 33, 165–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, T. M., Shapiro, D. E., Monheim, C. J., & Weydert, J. A. (2003). A pilot study of the use of guided imagery for the treatment of abdominal pain in children. Clinical Pediatrics, 42, 527–532.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benore, E., Wertalik, G., Beck, M., & Slifer, K. (2004). Shifting the focus from pain: The effect of child and family therapy targeting adaptive functioning in managing recurrent pain. Paper presented at the National Conference on Child Health Psychology, Charleston, SC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campo, J. V., Ehmann, M., Altman, S., Lucas, A., Birmaher, B., DiLorenzo, C., Iyengar, S., & Brent, D. A. (2004). Recurrent abdominal pain, anxiety, and depression in primary care. Pediatrics, 113, 817–824.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chambless, D., Sanderson, W. C., Shoham, V., Johnson, S. B., Pope, K. S., Crits-Cristoph, P. et al. (1996). An update on empirically validated therapies. Clinical Psychologist, 49, 5–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, M. F. (1986). Recurrent abdominal pain and dietary fiber. American Journal of Diseases in Children, 140, 738–739.k

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, M. F., & Mortensen, O. (1975). Long-term prognosis in children with recurrent abdominal pain. Archives of Diseases of Childhood, 50, 110–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compas, B. E., & Boyer, M. C. (2001). Coping and attention: Implications for child health and pediatric conditions. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 22, 323–333.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crushell, E., Rowland, M., Doherty, M., Gormally, S., Harty, S., Bourke, B. et al. (2003). Importance of parental conceptual model of illness in severe recurrent abdominal pain. Pediatrics, 112, 1368–1372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorn, L. D., Campo, J. C., Thato, S., Dahl, R. E., Lewin, D., Chandra, R. et al. (2003). Psychological comorbidity and stress reactivity in childrena and adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain and anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42, 66–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drossman, D. A. ( 2000). The functional gastrointestinal disorders and the Rome II process. In D. A. Drossman, E. Corazziari, N. J. Talley, W. G. Thompson, W. E. Whitehead (Eds.), Rome II: The functional gastrointestinal disorders (pp. 1–29). Lawrence, KS: Allen Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, M. A., Goulart, E. M., & Penna, F. J. (2000). Pressure pain threshold in children with recurrent abdominal pain. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 31, 280–285.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M. C., Finney, J.W., & Bonner, M. (1991). Matching treatment with recurrent abdominal pain symptoms: An evaluation of dietary fiber and relaxation treatments. Behavior Therapy, 20, 283–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Matary, W., Spray, C., & Sandu, B. (2004). Irritable bowel syndrome: The commonest cause of recurrent abdominal pain in children. European Journal of Pediatrics, 163, 584–588.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, W., McGrath, P., Hodgeson, C., Ritter, H., & Shipman, R.T. (1985). The use of dietary fiber in the management of simple, childhood, idiopathic, recurrent, abdominal pain. Archives of Diseases of Childhood, 139, 1216–1218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finney, J. W., Lemanek, K. L., Cataldo, M. F., Katz, H. P., & Fuqua, R. W. (1989). Pediatric psychology in primary health care: Brief targeted therapy for recurrent abdominal pain. Behavior Therapy, 20, 283–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazer, C. H., & Rappaport, L. A. (1999). Recurrent pains. In M. D. Levine, W. B. Carey, & A. C. Crocker (Eds.), Developmental-behavioral pediatrics (pp. 357–364). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, K., Kline, J. J., Barbero, G., & Flanery, R. (1985). Depressive symptoms in children with recurrent abdominal and in their families. Journal of Pediatrics, 107, 622–626.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, K., Kline, J. J., Barbero, G., & Woodruff, C. (1985). Anxiety in children with recurrent abdominal pain and in their parents. Psychosomatics, 26, 859–866.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, P. A., & Gervitz, R. N. (2000). Treatment of recurrent abdominal pain: Components analysis of four treatment protocols. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 31, 47–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hyams, J. S., Burke, G., Davis, P. M., Rzepsaki, B., & Andrulonis, P. A. (1996). Abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents: A community-based study. Journal of Pediatrics, 129, 220–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janicke, D. M., & Finney, J. W. (1999). Empirically supported treatments in pediatric psychology: Recurrent abdominal pain. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24, 115–127.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, M. D., & Rappaport, L. A. (1984). Recurrent abdominal pain in school children: The loneliness of the long-distance physician. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 31, 969–991.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linton, S. J. (1986). A case study of the behavioural treatment of chronic stomach pain in a child. Behaviour Change, 3, 70–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahajan, L., & Wyllie, R. (1999). Chronic abdominal pain of childhood and adolescence. In R. Wyllie & J. S. Hyams (Eds.), Pediatric gastrointestinal disease: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, & management (pp. 3–13). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masek, B. J., Russo, D. C., & Varni, J. W. (1984). Behavioral approaches to the management of chronic pain in children. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 31, 1113–1131.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, P. A. (1990). Pain in children: Nature, assessment, and treatment. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, P. J., Goodman, J. T., Firestone, P., Shipman, R., & Peters, S. (1983). Recurrent abdominal pain: A psychogenic disorder? Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 58, 888–890.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, A. J., & Kratochwill, T. R. (1979). Reduction of frequent stomach complaints by time out. Behavior Therapy, 10, 211–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oster, J. (1972). Recurrent abdominal pain, headache and limb pains in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 50, 429–436.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasquin-Weber, A., Hyman P. E., Cucchiara, S., Fleisher, D. R., Hyams, J. S., Milla, P. J., & Staiano, A. (1999). Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders. Gut, 45(Suppl. 2), 1160–1168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raymer, D., Weininger, O., & Hamilton, J. R. (1984). Psychological problems in children with abdominal pain. Lancet, 1, 439–440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (1998). Behavior assessment system for children: Manual. Circle Pineas, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robins, P. M., Smith, S. M., Glutting, J. J., & Bishop, C. T. (2005). A randomized controlled trail of a cognitive-behavioral family intervention for pediatric recurrent abdominal pain. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 30, 397–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Rebgetz, M., Morrison, M. M., Bor, W., Gordon, A., Dadds, M. R. et al. (1989). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of recurrent nonspecific abdominal pain in children: An analysis of generalization, and maintenance side effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 294–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Shepherd, R. W., Cleghorn, G., & Woolford, H. (1994). The treatment of recurrent abdominal pain in children: A controlled comparison of cognitive-behavioral family intervention and standard pediatric care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 306–314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sank, L. I., & Biglan, A. (1974). Operant treatment of a case of recurrent abdominal pain in a 10-year-old boy. Behavior Therapy, 5, 677–681.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharff, L. (1997). Recurrent abdominal pain in children: A review of psychological factors and treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 17, 145–166.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwankovsky, L., & Hyman, P. E. (1999). Pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders diagnostic questionnaire. In P. E. Hyman (Ed.), Pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (pp. A1–A8). New York: Academy Professional Information Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stickler, G. B., & Murphy, D. B. (1979). Recurrent abdominal pain. American Journal of Diseases in Childhood, 133, 486–489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stordal, K., Nygaard, E. A., & Bentsen, B. S. (2005). Recurrent abdominal pain: A five year follow-up study. Acta Paediatrica, 94, 234–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen, A. H., Compas, B. E., Colletti, R. B., Stanger, C., Boyer, M. C., & Konik, B. S. (2002). Parent reports of coping and stress responses in children with recurrent abdominal pain. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27, 215–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen, A. H., Compas, B. E., Colletti, R. B., & Stanger, C. (2000). Self-report of coping and stress responses in adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain. Manuscript submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varni, J. W., Thompson, K. L., & Hanson, V. (1987). The Varni/Thompson Pediatric pain questionnaire. I. Chronic musculoskeletal pain in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Pain, 28, 27–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vasey, M.W., Daleiden, E.L., Williams, L. L., & Brown, L. (1995). Biased attention in childhood anxiety disorders: A preliminary study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23, 267–279.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vasey M. W., El-Hag, N., & Daleiden, E. L. (1996). Anxiety and the processing of emotionallythreatening stimuli: Dissociative patterns of selective attention among high-and-low-testanxious children. Child Development, 67, 1173–1185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Von Baeyer, C. L., & Walker, L. S. (1999). Children with recurrent abdominal pain: Issues in the selection and description of research participants. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 20, 307–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S. (1999a). Pathways between recurrent abdominal pain and adult functional gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 20, 320–321.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S. (1999b). The evolution of research on recurrent abdominal pain: History, assumptions, and a conceptual model. In P. J. McGrath & G. A. Finley (Eds.), Chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents (pp. 141–172). Seattle: International Association for the Study of Pain.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., Caplan-Dover, A., Rasquin-Weber, A. (2000). Questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms for children and adolescents. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., Garber, J., & Greene, J. W. (1993). Psychosocial correlates of recurrent childhood pain: A comparison of pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain, organic illness, and psychiatric disorders. Journal of Abnormal of Psychology, 102, 248–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., Garber, J., Smith, C. A., Van Slyke, D. A., & Lewis Claar, R. (2001). The relation of daily stressors to somatic and emotional symptoms in children with and without recurrent abdominal pain. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 85–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., & Green, J. W. (1989). Children with recurrent abdominal pain and their parents: More somatic complaints, anxiety, and depression than other parent groups? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 12, 231–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., & Greene, J. W. (1991a). Negative life events and symptom resolution in pediatric abdominal pain patients. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 341–360.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., & Greene, J.W. (1991b). The functional disability inventory measuring a neglected dimension of child health status. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 39–58.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., Smith, C. A., Garber, J., & Van Slyke, D. A. (1997). Development and validation of the Pain Response Inventory for Children. Psychological Assessment, 9, 392–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., & Zeman, J. L. (1992). Parental response to child illness behavior. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 17, 49–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wasserman, A. L., Whitington, P. F., & Rivara, F. P. (1988). Psychogenic basis for abdominal pain in children and adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 27, 179–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Youseff, N. N., & DiLorenzo, C. (2001). The role of motility in functional abdominal disorders in children. Pediatric Annals, 30, 24–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeltzer, L., Bursch, B., & Walco, G. (1997). Pain responsiveness and chronic pain: A psychobiological perspective. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18, 413–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, B., Stevenson, J., & Bailey, V. (1986). Stomachaches and headaches in a community sample of preschool children. Pediatrics, 79, 677–682.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

(2006). Recurrent Abdominal Pain. In: Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-25612-1_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation