Recurrent abdominal pain in children: a retrospective survey of 119 patients.

The clinical pattern of 119 children with recurrent abdominal pain, located most commonly in the periumbilical region, revealed no distinct features. The most common associated symptoms were pallor, tiredness and anorexia. The most important socioenvironmental and behavioral factors were marital turmoil in 44%, school activity in 32%, and perfectionism in 30%. Laboratory and radiologic and fiberoptic endoscopic studies were uniformly unremarkable. Counseling on a continuing basis helped 105 of these children.