Clinical Spectrum and Outcomes of Non-Traumatic Acute Abdominal Pain in Hospitalized Children: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Background: Acute abdominal pain is a frequent presentation in pediatric emergency departments, encompassing a broad range of etiologies from benign to life-threatening conditions. Distinguishing between surgical and non-surgical causes remains a clinical challenge. Objective: To analyze the clinical spectrum, diagnostic categories, and hospital outcomes of children admitted with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on (84) pediatric patients admitted with acute abdominal pain. Data collected on demographics, clinical features, final diagnoses, management approaches, and hospital stay duration were analyzed. Statistical tests were applied to compare clinical features between surgical and medical cases. Results: The most common diagnoses were urinary tract infection (35.7%) and acute gastroenteritis (25%). Appendicitis was diagnosed in (9.5%) of cases, all requiring surgical intervention. No significant association was found between clinical symptoms and surgical need. Hospital stay duration did not differ significantly among diagnostic groups. Conclusion: This study confirms that most pediatric admissions for non-traumatic acute abdominal pain are due to medical causes, with UTI and AGE being predominant. Appendicitis was the most common surgical condition. Symptom overlap made clinical differentiation difficult. Ultrasound and labs were essential for diagnosis. Our findings support recent literature on conservative management trends and the importance of imaging.