An Authoritative Guide to Chronic Pediatric Abdominal Pain

An Authoritative Guide to Chronic Pediatric Abdominal Pain: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management aims to provide, for the first time, a comprehensive and extensive overview of all aspects relevant to the care of children with abdominal pain. It includes chapters tailored to each discipline, level of training, and primary interest (clinical or research). The book covers daily practice, including diagnosis, testing, conventional and complementary treatments, interdisciplinary care, and the transition to adult gastroenterology treatment. The book critically updates the evidence behind these methods, and prepares readers to understand more advanced techniques. Information on clinical perspectives and management in the emergency department helps inform pediatricians, gastroenterologists, residents, fellows, and nurse practitioners about the scientific basis for prior workups, differential diagnoses, and the rationale behind them. An Authoritative Guide to Chronic Pediatric Abdominal Pain: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management highlights that disorders of brain-gut interaction associated with abdominal pain are multifactorial in origin. This book helps clinicians understand the basic research behind these factors, how they influence pathophysiology, clinical presentation, progression, and outcomes. Topics include early adverse life events, intestinal permeability, visceral hypersensitivity, sex differences, microbiome infections, use of antibiotics, and the microbiome. In addition to risk factors for the development and persistence of abdominal pain, this book covers protective factors, such as resilience, which can be enhanced through appropriate consultation approaches. Students and entry-level practitioners seeking to provide thorough, empathetic care for pediatric abdominal pain patients need look no further than this foundational reference.