Stool microscopic findings in school-aged children presenting with recurrent abdominal pain in Enugu, South-East Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a prevalent paediatric concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where parasitic infections are often overlooked as contributors. The aim is to evaluate stool microscopy findings among children with RAP in Enugu, Nigeria, and assess associations with age, sex, and inflammatory markers. This was a retrospective review of 168 children aged 3-15 years presenting with RAP between 2016 and 2022. Stool specimens were examined for yeast cells, Entamoeba histolytica cysts, and helminth ova. Associations with demographics and stool red blood cells/white blood cells were assessed using chi-square tests. The result showed that Yeast cells were found in 96.4% of samples, E. histolytica cysts in 64.9%, and helminth ova in 58.3%, predominantly Ascaris lumbricoides. No statistically significant associations were observed between age, sex, inflammatory markers, and organism presence (P > .05). In conclusion high prevalence of intestinal organisms in children with RAP suggests routine stool microscopy remains essential in LMICs.