Evaluation of the child with acute abdominal pain

Acute abdominal pain is a frequent and potentially serious episodic complaint. Evaluation of the child with acute abdominal pain is always challenging, even for the experienced nurse practitioner. Some of the difficulties include obtaining accurate historical information and the subleties of abdominal examination. However, approaching the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain from a developmental perspective may assist the nurse practitioner in coming to a more timely and accurate diagnosis. Pertinent historical data and techniques of examination are reviewed. Age-specific causes of acute abdominal pain and their clinical manifestations are presented.