Fascicolo monotematico "Disturbi funzionali nel bambino"
Miguel Saps
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are common in children worldwide. Abdominal pain is associated with higher anxiety and depression scores and poor quality of life. The costs of care for children with FAPDs are enormous and rising. Considering the high prevalence of FAPDs and the high costs associated with the medical care of children with FAPDs, it is important to be judicious and to minimize unnecessary testing that can potentially increase health risks and avoidable costs. In children without alarm features that suggest an organic disease, testing should be limited and the rationale, yield and risks of testing should be discussed with the families.