Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) in Children

What are the signs and symptoms of functional abdominal pain?

The most common symptom is intermittent abdominal pain that occurs for at least three months. The description of the pain varies. Although it is usually located near the belly button, it can be anywhere.

The pain may be very severe, causing a child to look pale, become sweaty, cry and double over. It may be so severe that the child cannot attend school. The pain may be sharp, dull or crampy and can last minutes to hours. The pain occurs either at day or night and the relationship to eating is unpredictable. In fact, one of the most consistent characteristics of functional abdominal pain is its inconsistency.

What tests are used to diagnose functional abdominal pain?

A history of how your child's functional abdominal pain started will be conducted, as well as a physical exam and, if needed, basic blood, urine, stool, X-ray, endoscopy and extensive lab testing may also occur.

Why choose Children's Hospital Colorado for functional abdominal pain testing?

If your child happens to be diagnosed with functional abdominal pain, a doctor will follow your child to see if any changes take place that would suggest a different problem is causing your child's symptoms. From the moment you visit our hospital to the time you leave, we promise to ensure the best care for your child's abdominal pain.

What to expect from functional abdominal testing

First your doctor will ask questions to create a detailed history of how the pain started, how it progressed, its location and other factors that can often suggest a diagnosis of functional pain. Then, he or she will do a physical exam and check your child's growth to make sure it’s normal. In functional pain, growth is good and the physical exam is normal.

How do providers at Children's Colorado make a diagnosis?

After the physical exam, basic blood, urine and stool tests are often performed to screen for other conditions that can cause recurrent pain, like an infection or lactose intolerance. X-rays, other imaging studies, extensive lab tests and endoscopy are only recommended for children whose history, exam or basic lab results don't fit with the diagnosis of functional pain.

How is functional abdominal pain treated?

However, for many children with functional pain, an underlying condition may never be found. Our goal at Children's Colorado is to help you and your child resume the normal activities of childhood. If your child's functional abdominal pain is the result of another underlying digestive disorder, like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, pain usually goes away after addressing those conditions.

Our healthcare providers teach a variety of specific actions for handling pain episodes, such as breathing techniques that can be taught to your child. It is important to prevent the pain from becoming a reason for missing school, changing your child’s social activities or becoming the center of attention at home.

Even when the pain persists, it is reassuring to learn that this is a known condition and that it is not dangerous. Being positive about getting better will send the right signals to your child.

Why choose Children's Colorado for your child's functional abdominal pain?

Functional abdominal pain is a very common problem but can sometimes be a sign of a more serious gastrointestinal problem. The physicians within the Digestive Health Institute have the expertise and experience to help distinguish which children need a more extensive evaluation.

• Summary from American Academy of Pediatrics
• American College of Gastroenterology
• GastroKids
• International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders