Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain in Pediatrics
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Constipation: This is a common cause of abdominal pain in children, often due to dietary factors, dehydration, or poor bowel habits. The pain is usually intermittent and accompanied by changes in bowel movements.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Viral Gastroenteritis: Characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, this condition is highly contagious and common in pediatric populations.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): UTIs can cause abdominal pain, especially in the lower abdomen, and are often accompanied by symptoms like dysuria and frequent urination.
- Functional Abdominal Pain: A condition where abdominal pain is not explained by other medical conditions, often related to stress or anxiety.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis is a critical diagnosis that requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent perforation and peritonitis. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, often starting around the navel and then moving to the lower right abdomen, fever, and vomiting.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, causing bowel obstruction. It's a medical emergency that presents with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and sometimes bloody stools.
- Pyloric Stenosis: A condition that causes projectile vomiting and is due to the narrowing of the pylorus, the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. It typically presents in infants.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
Rare Diagnoses
- Meckel's Diverticulum: A congenital anomaly of the small intestine that can cause abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, or obstruction.
- Hirschsprung's Disease: A congenital condition affecting the large intestine, leading to severe constipation or intestinal obstruction.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and elevated pancreatic enzymes.
- Ovarian Torsion: A condition where the ovary twists around its ligaments, cutting off blood supply. It's a surgical emergency that presents with severe abdominal pain.