Abdominal ultrasonography in the diagnostic work-up in children with recurrent abdominal pain

We report on our experience with routine abdominal ultrasonography in 120 children (aged 3–15 years) with recurrent abdominal pain, in order to determine the diagnostic value of this investigation. Eight children (7%) revealed sonographic abnormalities: gallbladder stone (n = 2), splenomegaly (n = 1) and urogenital abnormalities (n = 5). The recurrent abdominal pain could be explained by these findings in only two (may be three) cases. Conclusion The diagnostic value of abdominal ultra‐sonography in unselected children with recurrent abdominal pain is low. However, the direct visualization of the abdominal structures as being normal may be helpful to the parents and the child in their understanding and acceptance of the benign nature of recurrent abdominal pain. Received: 19 March 1996 / Accepted: 29 January 1997