RESUMO
Recurrent abdominal pain [RAP] in Children is a common problem, yet frustrating when unexplained. To estimate the incidence of recurrent abdominal pain in children in Alwahda outpatients clinics, Derna - Libya 1/7/2007 to 31/12/2007, and the possible contributing factors. Out of 2551 [1272 males and 1279 females] children, 437 [200 males and 237 females] were suffering from RAP [17.13%]. Those children were subjected to clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations [urine, stool, complete blood picture], abdominal ultrasonography, psychosocial screening using Pediatric Scale Checklist. The causes of RAP were 44.85% organic, 5.9% psychosocial, 44.39% interacting organic and psychosocial, and 4.81% functional RAP [functional abdominal pain in 52 [12%] children, IBS was diagnosed in 38 [8.7%] children, while nonulcer dyspepsia was diagnosed in 10 [2.3%] children. The most common organic causes of RAP were parasitic infestations in 210 [48%] of children [23.57% oxyuris, 19.22% Giardia lambilia and 11.67% Ascaris], urinary tract infections in 98 [22.43%], and chronic constipation in 57 [13.04%] of children. The results of this study have a bearing on the management of childhood RAP