How Common Is Functional Abdominal Pain?
Functional abdominal pain is fairly common among adolescents. Studies indicate that 10-30% of adolescents have functional abdominal pain or a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). The risk is higher for females. According to one study, 10-15% of school aged children report episodes of recurrent abdominal pain and go to a doctor while another 15% may experience abdominal pain but don’t go to the doctor for it.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, almost a quarter of all children who visit a pediatric gastroenterologist for stomach complaints have functional abdominal pain or a DGBI.
Risk factors for developing functional abdominal pain include early life stressors, history of previous intestinal inflammation or infections, exposure to chronic stress, and family history of chronic pain.
As seen in this chart, functional abdominal pain in children is common around the world.
