. Long-term prognosis in children with recurrent abdominal pain. The present study is a follow-up of 34 cases admitted to a paediatric department with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in 1942 and 1943. 45 persons without a history of RAP were selected at random and included as controls. Using a questionnaire, there was a higher incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms among persons with a history of RAP during childhood than among controls (P < 0 05). 18 of the original 34 cases who still had symptoms were re-examined; 11 had a clinical picture consistent with a diagnosis of irritable colon, 5 had a picture compatible with both irritable colon and peptic ulcer/gastritis, and 2 had duodenal ulcer.Abdominal pains occurred no more frequentlyamong children ofparents who had had RAP during childhood than among children of parents without such a history. However, there was a higher incidence of abdominal pain among children of parents who were complaining of abdominal discomfort at the time of the investigation than among children whose parents were without such symptoms (P < 0 005).It has been generally held that the prognosis for children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is good, though this point of view is not supported by the few published follow-up studies. Apley (1959) examined 30 persons who had been in hospital as children with RAP 8-20 years earlier. The patients had received no or inadequate treatment. 9 were free from symptoms. In 9 cases the episodes of abdominal pain had ceased only to be replaced by other symptoms, especially headache. In 12 cases abdominal pains persisted, mostly accompanied by 'nervous' complaints. Among 18 controls, one had severe headache, 4 had occasional slight headache, 3 had occasional abdominal discomfort, and one suffered from nervousness.Apley and Hale (1973) reported a follow-up of 30 persons 10-14 years after they had been referred to a children's hospital on account of RAP and treated with reassurance and explanation. The results were similar to those of the first study except for the following points: the children who responded to treatment recovered more quickly than those described in the first study; relapse did not occur in treated patients; and in the treated group fewer nonabdominal disorders developed.
