Chronic abdominal pain in children.

Chronic abdominal pain in children is usually not caused by organic disease. Diagnostic triage focuses on the assessment of alarm symptoms by means of history and physical examination. Additional diagnostic evaluation is not required in children without alarm symptoms. Family characteristics have an important influence on the chronicity of abdominal pain. A specific intervention is not recommended owing to lack of evidence of a beneficial effect. The greatest challenge is to identify children at risk of a prolonged course of pain and its correlated functional disability. The evaluation of family for coping strategies, psychosocial factors and appropriate follow-up can prevent ineffective use of healthcare resources.