Abdominal pain in childhood is linked with psychiatric disorders in adulthood

Chronic abdominal pain in childhood is common and usually not associated with defined disease. On p 1196 Hotopf et al report findings from the national survey of health and development that describe the associations and outcome of children with persistent abdominal pain. Such children were more likely to come from families with high rates of reported illness and of reported “nervousness” in the parents. The children’s rates of abdominal pain were not significantly raised in adulthood. They were, however, more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, suggesting that persistent abdominal pain in childhood is a marker for psychiatric disorders later in life.